Mindfulness and Athlete Burnout: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This review aims to identify, appraise, and synthesize studies reporting the relationship between mindfulness and athlete burnout and the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on athlete burnout. Methods: Studies were identified through searching six electronic databases using combinations of three groups of keywords and manual search. Two independent reviewers screened the searched studies, extracted data of the included studies, and assessed the study quality. The extracted data were synthesized qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: Ten studies consisting of two controlled trials, six surveys, and two interview studies met the inclusion criteria. The two controlled trials had weak methodological quality, and the remaining studies were of moderate to high research quality. Results of controlled trials and interview research generally showed that MBIs had positive effects in burnout prevention. Meta-analytic results indicated a negative association between mindfulness and burnout. Conclusions: There is some evidence showing that mindfulness was negatively associated with athlete burnout. However, given the small number of interventions and qualitative studies, there is limited evidence on whether MBIs are useful in preventing athlete burnout. More studies are needed to corroborate these findings.

Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration, Stress, and Sports Injury Among University Athletes: A Four-Wave Prospective Survey

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Effect of digital storytelling intervention on burnout thoughts of adolescent

“…Some techniques have been identified in previous studies as a possible means of treating athlete burnout. Such techniques include mindfulness-based program, [ 30 ] acceptance and commitment therapy, [ 31 ] and autonomy support therapy. [ 32 ] However, researchers [ 9 ] suggested that cognitive behaviour therapy interventions used for the management of stress and burnout outside the sports domain may provide informative directions for practitioners working to reduce and/or prevent burnout in the field of sports.…”

The Relationship between Perceived Coaching Behaviors, Competitive Trait Anxiety, and Athlete Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Due to the lack of a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure burnout in athletes, Raedeke and Smith [5] later developed a sport-specific burnout questionnaire (i.e., Athlete Burnout Questionnaire; ABQ). The development of the ABQ advanced burnout research in the athlete population [6]. Early signs of burnout include emotional and physical tiredness or fatigue, mood disturbance, lack of enjoyment, loss of motivation, and perceptions of inadequate social support [3,7].…”