Lecture 14: Burnout

Question 1

Give the three definitions of burnout.

Answer 1

1. M & J: Decreased performance accomplishments/ Depersonalisation/ Emotional exhaustion
2. S: Withdrawal from sport due to psychological, physical emotional stress and dissatisfaction
3. R, L & V: Decreased performance accomplishments/ Devaluation/ Physical & Psychological exhaustion

Question 2

What did Ecklund and Cresswell identify as the key attributions to burnout in rugby?

Answer 2

Injury 
Competition transition 
Media
Physical exhaustion 
Pressure 
Anti-rest culture

Question 3

What is the most used definition for burnout in sport?

Answer 3

Psychological, physical, emotional withdrawal from previously enjoyed sport due to stress and/or dissatisfaction

Question 4

What did Ecklund and Cresswell identify as the key characteristics of burnout?

Answer 4

Decreased professional efficacy
Devaluation
Physical and emotional exhaustion

Question 5

Define overtraining.

Answer 5

Physical overload without adequate rest

Question 6

Define staleness.

Answer 6

A decline in performance not attributed to illness or injury

Question 7

What did Cresswell and Ecklund identify as early warning signs of burnout in rugby?

Answer 7

High perceptions of rugby and financial hassles

Low perceptions of control, social support, competence

Question 8

What did Schaufeli and Buunk identify as the 5 consequences of burnout?

Answer 8

Affective 
Behavioral 
Cognitive 
Motivational 
Physical

Question 9

Name the 4 theories behind burnout and give a summary of each one.

Answer 9

The negative training stress response model:

Overtraining increases the liklihood of burnout

The cognitive-affect model

Cyclical
Situational demands –> Cognitive appraisals –> Physiological response –> behavioural consequences

The unidimensional identity development and external control model

Athletes’ only identity is their sport therefore when burnout occurs, stress increases which can lead to burnout

The sport commitment model

Athletes committed to sport but don’t enjoy it

Question 10

Give a description of the self-determined motivation continuum.

Answer 10

Increased self-determination is a result of intrinsic motivation
Decreased self-determination attributed to increased extrinsic motivation and amotivation

Question 11

What did Lemyre et al. conclude about the effect of SDT and affect on burnout?

Answer 11

Decreased SDT due to increased extrinsic motivation and negative affect increased the likelihood of burnout

Question 12

What did Lemre et al conclude about the effect of SDT and overtraining on burnout?

Answer 12

Less self-determined athletes and athletes who admitted to overtraining were more likely to eperience burnout

Question 13

What measures can be used to measure burnout?

Answer 13

Mood state measures (POMS/ PANAS/ training diary)

Self-report measures (ABQ/ RESTQ)

Question 14

What are the most commonly used measures of burnout?

Answer 14

PANAS and ABQ

Question 15

Give a brief description of the two types of intervention that can be used to tackle burnout.

Answer 15

Proactive: prevent burnout occuring
Reactive: manage burnout

Question 16

Name some suggested interventions from current literature.

Answer 16

Increased athlete input 
Listen to the athlete 
Increased recovery time 
Coach and family support 
Aiding with time management 
Identify early warning signs 
Make sport fun! (again)