Recognizing the Early Signs of Burnout in Athletic Trainers

Recognizing the early signs of burnout in athletic trainers is essential

To maintain their well-being and ensure they can continue providing quality care for athletes. Burnout is defined as when the demands of a job lead to exhaustion which causes physical and mental fatigue.  

Although burnout is common in many professions, early identification and intervention can prevent the consequences of burnout for the athletic trainer and athletes in their care. 

Related: How to Prevent Burnout in Healthcare Professionals 

Although burnout is not always easily detectable or even obvious to observers, there are signs to look out for that include: 

Emotional exhaustion

Emotional exhaustion is characterized by feeling tired constantly, even after getting enough sleep. This includes both physical and emotional fatigue. When emotional fatigue sets in, the trainer, his or her colleagues or athletes may notice that the trainer is more irritable than usual. He or she may become frustrated easily or appear impatient, often overreacting to minor things. 

When someone feels tired and irritable, especially in a job where they are responsible for the well-being of others, they typically begin to feel overwhelmed. They might also experience a generalized sense of being unable to cope with the demands of the job. All this exaggerates the sense of emotional exhaustion and leads to a general feeling of helplessness. 

Decreased motivation

Another cardinal sign of burnout is decreased motivation. This is characterized by a loss of passion and a general lack of interest or enthusiasm for a job that once brought joy and personal fulfillment. When a trainer loses his or her motivation for their job, that lethargy manifests as a lack of energy to invest in athletes, colleagues, or professional interests. All of these can become dangerous for athletes. Any noticeable apathy or absence of concern or interest regarding the care and development of athletes is a serious concern that must be addressed immediately.

Cognitive difficulties

When burnout occurs at work, it can lead to problems with memory or concentration, again putting athletes at risk. If a trainer shows difficulty focusing, forgets important relevant information, or has trouble making decisions it is time for family, friends, and colleagues to intervene. 

Sleep disturbances

Often cognitive and physical symptoms of burnout are due to sleep disturbances. This may span symptoms like trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling tired after a good night’s sleep. Although sleep disturbances can happen on their own, they typically represent a more complex issue that needs to be addressed. 

Decreased work performance

Burnout affects productivity and quality of care. This can lead to work-related mistakes, putting athletes and colleagues at risk. Mistakes and oversights show up as noticeable declines in the accuracy and attention to detail, leading to poor decisions and errors in athlete care. 

Isolation

Over time, an athletic trainer suffering from burnout will withdraw, avoid social interactions and/or become disengaged from team meetings and activities. The trainer might become less communicative overall, provide less frequent updates or engagement with athletes, and other coaches and staff members, all of which can lead to decreased job performance. 

Increased negativity

Chronic burnout leads to a negative or pessimistic view towards the profession. It might also lead to diminished compassion where the trainer exhibits less empathy for athletes or shows difficulty connecting with athletes and colleagues. Over time disillusionment with the job and negative trainer experiences can lead to detachment from the purpose of the profession or a desire to dismiss themselves from responsibilities. 

Physical health decline

If burnout persists, issues like sleep disturbances and chronic stress and anxiety can lead to reduced immune system function making a person more likely to get sick and suffer from physical symptoms of burnout that include headaches, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal problems. A major red flag is poor self-care. Athletic trainers suffering from burnout may stop eating healthy, exercising, or sleeping. At that point, intervention is urgent. 

Addressing burnout

Asking for help is hard. For many trainers, pride or the fear of judgment or losing a job might prevent someone from seeking help. To ease fears and create a supportive work environment, open communication is a must. Trainers need to feel comfortable speaking up about workload and other stressors to minimize issues before problems occur.  

It may also help to create a system to share work responsibilities and periodically schedule breaks to enjoy personal activities away from work. Other things to consider are establishing support systems like mental health professionals, peer support or mentorship programs before they are needed. 

Burnout is a serious issue in athletic training, as trainers are responsible for athletes’ well-being. By recognizing the symptoms of burnout early, athletic trainers can avoid and treat burnout with minimal effect on the trainer’s performance and the athletes’ well-being.