Burnout and psychological performance: relationships in youth athletes

Abstract

Sports performance is determined by multiple factors, with psychological variables playing a key position. Different problems and psychopathologies, such as burnout, can have a debilitating and detrimental effect on the athlete's performance. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between burnout and psychological characteristics relevant to sports performance in young wrestling competitors. A total of 125 athletes participated. The Burnout in Sport Revised Questionnaire (IBD-R) and the Psychological Inventory Athletic Performance (IPED) were administered. The results showed significant relationships of the three dimensions of burnout with the psychological scales. Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization were inversely associated with all the psychological variables evaluated, and Reduced Personal Accomplishment was directly related to them. Also, the three burnout scales were shown to be predictive variables of psychological skills, especially Reduced Personal Accomplishment and Emotional Exhaustion. In conclusion, burnout is related to basic psychological factors in sports performance, and therefore work is needed to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.