Source: A kiégést észre kell venni, különben nagy baj lehet – nb1.hu
Burnout in sport
Burnout is a common issue that affects many athletes, but is often discussed as a taboo subject. Burnout is a condition that happens when someone is exposed to long-term stress. And they can no longer cope on their own. Take the case of a young footballer who is showing symptoms of burnout. His coach reacts like this: "Don't you want to go to the training?!". Or "You are not committed enough!". Overtraining, overload, injuries and the pressures of competitive sport are common stress factors. If these symptoms appear, it is important that the athlete takes a break in time. It is necessary to rest and to find out what is causing the stress with the help of a professional.
This article explores the problem of burnout from a player's perspective. But it is equally relevant for coaches, club managers, parents and all people involved in sport. It can help us to become more sensitive to the signs of burnout in our environment.
Reasons for burnout in athletes
There are many reasons why athletes burn out, one of the most common being the lack of positive feedback and reinforcement. As a result, the player becomes dissatisfied with his situation and his self-confidence decreases. Coaches often try to achieve success with their players through inadequate communication. This can result in burnout and, in extreme cases, retirement from the sport. It can also lead to the leaving of a team-mate who has been a support in the player's life. The lack of a partner can have a negative effect on his motivation. Positive reinforcement can therefore be asked for and received by the player from someone other than his coach, someone who is credible to him, as a coping strategy. It is also useful to give positive feedback to yourself when you have done something well according to your own expectations.
The next reason for burnout can be monotony, overwork and, at the same time, lack of rest. Basically, it is the responsibility of the professional staff working alongside the coaches to prepare the players adequately for their current match. However, the sports psychologist can also be a warning system, recognising the signs of overwork. The chance of being selected for the team usually makes players present themselves as tough and tireless, which is not an honest communication to the coach. Therefore, a sports psychologist can play an important role in recognising overwork and, in consultation with the player, can report it to his coach. Signs of overwork include fatigue, mood swings, loss of motivation, loss of appetite, frequent illnesses and injuries, sleep problems, stagnant or decreasing performance. As well as the already mentioned decreased self-confidence.
Other reasons may be too high expectations of the player, too difficult or unrealistic goals A good example of this is a case I had with a youth footballer. Under pressure from his parents, he was selected for a very strong secondary school after finishing his primary education. As it was important for the family to continue high level studies, they wanted to motivate their child by saying that if he did not get at least a 4 average in his semester, he could temporarily give up football. However, for the player, football was the first priority, so the training sessions meant that he was unable to fulfil the academic requirements. Finally, by discussing the situation with the parents, the young player's burnout was prevented.
The burnout process
The burnout process can be divided into five stages. If the athlete is intervened in one of the first four stages, a complete burnout can be prevented.
In the idealism stage, the player throws himself into training with great enthusiasm. He often sets himself unrealistic goals. In my experience, this is very typical during the pre-season, when a player is new to a team. In such cases, the player wants to show that he has more potential than his performance in the previous season. That's fine, it's about setting realistic goals. And to achieve them step by step, the right strategy must be defined.
The realism stage the player realises his own abilities, potential and limitations. It is then that he creates a more realistic image of himself. However, this requires self-awareness, because it can be disappointing if he or she is not able to achieve the goal he or she has planned and desired for so long. A strong network of relationships, family support and consciousness can be important at this stage.
If the player enters a stagnation stage,, his enthusiasm and performance decrease. His interest in training tasks and matches is reduced. This is often perceived by the coach as a lack of commitment on the field. The coach thinks: "I have another player who is more motivated, I'll put him in instead." But this makes the footballer even less motivated and leads to further burnout. This is usually when the player or his coach asks for the help of a sports psychologist. After all, the athlete is no longer performing on the pitch in the way he or she was hired to perform.
In the fourth, frustration stage, the athlete's own expectations no longer match reality, leading to serious frustration. At this point, the player often escapes into training and the compulsion to prove the training work becomes dominant. While his private sphere is reduced, his relationship with his team-mates and coach deteriorates. His private life also suffers. In this case, a longer process of sports psychology is needed, usually combined with a change of club and a process of integration into the new team.
In the apathy stage, apathy and disinterest are the most common symptoms. The player is introverted, depressed, hopeless and lacking in enthusiasm. He does not set new goals for himself for fear of real or perceived defeat. He finds no joy in sport or in his private life. This condition can lead to health problems, mental disorders and injuries. At this stage, the athlete's identity is being questioned and the end of competitive sport is being considered.

Burnout prevention and handling
The well-trained coach manages his or her athlete's strength, looking for methods that result in a diversified workload. He sets realistic goals for his player and focuses on the overall development process. Not just temporary success. He sees the player as a partner and takes his professional ideas and feedback seriously. It is useful to indicate to the player what he was good at during a training session or match. Then discuss what he needs to improve on. Giving clear, concrete instructions, positive criticism and supportive communication are essential to prevent burnout.
Another important aspect is that there should be periods between training sessions and matches when the athlete is allowed the "luxury of rest". When they can do something completely unrelated to their sport. Recharged, they will perform more effectively, which ultimately leads to team success. It is also the athlete's responsibility to consult a sports psychologist if he or she is experiencing symptoms of burnout. They can learn a variety of relaxation techniques to help them cope with tension and relax effectively. During the process of sports psychology, the footballer can focus on himself and develop self-knowledge. He learns to recognise, accept and take seriously the signals of his body.
All in all, the balance between skills, challenges, private life and sport is an essential factor in preventing burnout. In my work, I have noticed that athletes are nowadays less and less secretive about the fact that they consult a sports psychologist. Realistic self-assessment involves recognising that they need professional support to protect and develop their mental health.