A theoretical-descriptive model of burnout in athletes: a tentative proposition

Abstract

In this work a theoretical model is set out to describe burnout syndrome in the sport. From this perspective, after fifteen years of investigation and direct work with sportsmen at risk of suffering it, we considered the necessity to have an explanation attempt of the occurrence of the syndrome. This would allow us to propose a series of ample strategies of performance that affect in a suitable way the potential solution of this problem, as much from the perspective of the prevention as from the post-syndrome intervention. Our theoretical proposal is based to a great extent on the revision of the different works of investigation in different specialized data bases (Sportdiscus, Psychological Abstract, Current Contents), that contribute to a general vision of the main factors that are in the origin and maintenance of the syndrome, as well as of the consequences of its suffering, which also help us to sustain our proposal of model and the strategies of intervention and prevention that are derived from it. It is finalized proposing future lines of investigation that allow evaluating the kindness of the propose performances, as well as possible modifications for its adjustment and optimization to the characteristics of the sportsmen.