Coach and Athlete Burnout - West Virginia University

Burnout 78
related to training load during staleness as opposed to cognitive factors as in burnout
(Raglin, 1993; Raglin & Wilson, 2000).
Another term that utilizes a more holistic approach in describing related concepts
has also been presented. Henschen (2000) chose the term maladaptive fatigue syndrome
suggesting it encompasses or mirrors common terms like burnout, overtraining, and
staleness. Using work by Gould (1996), this syndrome was defined as a psychobiosocial
state that resulted in a physical, psychological, and emotional withdrawal from an activity
that was once enjoyable and motivating. Henschen (2000) further noted that maladaptive
fatigue syndrome was due to excessive fatigue. While this phenomenon was noted to
contain the same elements of overtraining, staleness, and burnout, it was preferred
because it identifies the actual situation, because other terms are grounded in the fatigue
syndrome that have remained unaddressed, and because of its holistic nature that allows
for flexibility.
It would also be advantageous to operationally define burnout before examining
its theoretical frameworks, assessment, occurrence, and prevention. However, a uniform
definition has been difficult to formulate because of its complexity, and has yet to be
identified both in and out of a sport context (Dale & Weinberg, 1989; Dale & Weinberg,
1990; Fender, 1989; Raedeke, 1997; Raedeke, Lunney, & Venables, 2002). Raedeke et
al. (2002) further stated that a definition of burnout including key signs and symptoms is
crucial in order to make progress with its related research. There is agreement among
professionals that burnout’s various definitions usually acknowledge a multidimensional
syndrome (Dale & Weinberg, 1989; Gould, 1996). Definitions also tend to vary
according to the theory providing the framework for a particular study.