The appeal of playing sports for fun is slowly diminishing as many athletes feel mentally and physically exhausted from their participation in sports. This is a warning sign of burnout that many coaches and parents are finding hard to ignore. Sports are supposed to build confidence and leadership skills, but for a growing number of student athletes, their sport leaves them drained and questioning whether it’s still worth it.
West Essex has a huge sports program. Games and practices typically take up six days a week, with anywhere from two to three games per week. The rest of the week is spent practicing, watching film and conditioning to be prepared for upcoming games. What many non-athletes are unaware of is the rigorous schoolwork and out-of-school commitments that shape athletes’ everyday lives.
According to the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), burnout is a response to the chronic stress caused by the demands of sports, without sufficient opportunity for physical and mental recovery. This is a syndrome of continuous training that results in exhaustion, stress and eventually burnout. Many athletes start to feel overwhelmed and worn out, but are pushed by their coaches, teammates and parents to continue training, all in an effort to help the team or even to enhance their college resume.
Without a break from the chronic stress an athlete experiences, the body and mind often struggle to keep up. NATA has reported that athletes usually experience difficulty sleeping and sudden drops in motivation. These are signs that can go easily unnoticed or be mistaken for laziness. However, these early indicators suggest that the stress of juggling many responsibilities takes a serious toll on an athlete’s body. When this cycle continues for a prolonged period, athletes not only lose their energy but also their passion for the sport they once loved.
For some students, the pressure begins long before the season starts. Pre-season workouts and games take place in the months leading up to the season and during the summer months when students are off from school. While pre-season training is necessary to prepare mentally and physically, it can also lead to added stress and less time for breaks. High school athletes are aware that playing a sport is a big commitment; however, no student-athlete should have to endure the impending feeling of burnout.
The social culture surrounding high school sports also contributes to burnout. For many athletes, it is an unspoken expectation that missing practice for any reason other than illness is not acceptable. Players fear losing their starting spots or even being labeled as uncommitted if they take a day off. This creates an environment where pushing past limits becomes normalized, even when it is physically and mentally demanding.
West Essex athletes are living two full lives, one as an athlete and the other as a student. Hours of homework stack up after practices that already end late in the evening, leaving very little time to rest. Trying to find a balance forces many athletes to make sacrifices, whether that means less sleep, fewer social interactions or giving up other hobbies they enjoy. Some students also have to balance a part-time job, adding another layer of responsibility and making time for themselves even harder to find. Over time, these sacrifices add up, leaving many athletes wondering if the sport they work so hard toward is still worth their effort.
Despite the challenges, there are many ways to address burnout. Coaches can adjust practice times to help emphasize the importance of resting and recovery. NATA recommends educating athletes, their coaches and their parents about recognizing the signs of burnout to create an open environment where athletes feel comfortable asking for help.
“It is much better for the coach-athlete relationship if the athlete can communicate their feelings and needs themselves,” head wrestling coach Michael Markey said. “It certainly increases our ability as coaches to help them.”
Burnout may be increasing among student athletes, but it can be prevented. The combination of awareness and communication, along with prioritizing mental health, can help students find a healthy balance between school and sports. High school sports are meant to be an opportunity for growth, friendship and fun, not a source of stress. As others start to recognize the importance of breaks for rest and recovery, sports can return to providing positive experiences that they were always intended to offer.
