Diagnosing Problems, Prescribing Solutions, and Advancing Athlete Burnout Research

Burnout is highly problematic for athletes. It is unsurprising that, like outside of sport, there is growing interest in this area of research. However, while we know a lot about the correlates of athlete burnout, there are few guidelines for how to deal with burnout in practice. In the present chapter, my aim is to diagnose problems that are preventing progress in this regard. In doing so, I have identified nine key problems that I think are the most important issues currently facing athlete burnout research. These include conceptual (e.g., whether burnout is the same as depression), methodological (e.g., whether self-report is a sufficient means to measure burnout), and practical problems (e.g., whether current interventions work). I have also prescribed possible solutions. It is hoped that my proposed solutions can help advance the development of evidence-based guidelines and, in doing so, aid prevention and intervention of burnout in athletes.