Burnout, what it is, what it isn't, and what can we do about it?
The NCAA describes a continuum resulting from stress - staleness, overtraining, and burnout. It's the antithesis of Csikszentmihalyi's "flow state". Joy disappears and priorities shift from process to outcomes. "motivation shifts toward extrinsic rewards such as trophies, scholarships, money, celebrity, or approval."
Burnout isn't synonymous with depression. Anti-depressant medications do not repair burnout.
How common is it? "1 percent to 9 percent of female athletes and 2 percent to 6 percent of male athletes had experienced symptoms of high-level burnout."
This isn't unique to athletes. Although burnout is distinct from depression, studies of physicians-in-training (residents) showed that a third experience clinical depression.
Who gets it, wannabes and losers with no future? WNBA superstar Elena Delle Donne, a top UCONN recruit, stepped away from basketball in 2008 with burnout.
What are the symptoms? The spectrum of burnout develops as fun becomes a chore. The routine of conditioning, practice, and competition becomes overwhelming, especially for the single sport athlete. Fun and friendship disappears into the backdrop of "more".
But it's healthy for them to play. What do statistics say?
"According to the book, Sports Specific Rehabilitation by Robert Donatelli, "In 2001 an estimated 18 million children were treated for a sports/physical activity-related injury. Approximately, 50% of those injuries (9 million) were attributed to overuse mechanisms resulting in muscle damage."
Great professionals honed their talents playing multiple sports. Hakeem Olajuwon credited soccer for some of his great footwork. Michael Jordan had a fling with professional baseball and played youth football. LeBron James was an All-State receiver. Wilt Chamberlain was a standout in track and volleyball.
Find balance. The great Pete Newell discusses the triad of footwork, maneuvering speed, and balance. We need to find balance in our lives. Joy Hollingsworth, former college standout and WNBA assistant, discusses the need for life balance. Playing sports in college can be great, but it's a job and you're an employee. Practicing 25-30 hours a week (forget about NCAA 'limits') while maintaining a full course load overtaxes many serious students. As a walk-on college baseball player, I did this as a premed, while also working 12 hours a week slinging burgers. Ridiculous.
Gustafsson shares his dissertation, a magnum opus on burnout here, discussing the feelings of entrapment with physiological and psychological impairment.
More isn't necessarily better. Educators, parents, and coaches should learn about the training continuum and familiarize themselves with the potential physical and mental adverse effects of overtraining.
