Can you get a burnout as a pro athlete?
Studies show yes. I bring this forward not as making excuses as much as I am convinced this team (and certain players), are mentally whooped. I should also say I'm from the
"tape an aspirin to it!" and
"No win, no trophy!" generation but, as I got older and more complex life changes, I have grown a bigger appreciation for this.
I can only speak from personal experience that the constant (and daily) grind of being an Administrator at work, caregiver and POA to both my parents, parent to a child with Autism, and the guy that pretty much does everything, there's quite a few days where I'm just mentally exhausted and feel like I've ran a marathon, yet stationary. I can't remember shit, simple shit to be exact, make simple mistakes, get distracted and frustrated easily, and just plop down on the couch and not move for a while. I'm sure everyone has, or does, experience days where you just feel beat up.
I'm no pro athlete though. Those days have long since vanished. But I make up for it by taking time off and just "unplugging" when I get the opportunities. These guys (our guys and athletes in general) are year-round with training, their personal lives, etc. For NHL players, their season can go anywhere from 7 to 9 months. And not to intentionally diminish other sports, but we all know hockey's a very physically and mentally demanding sport.
I've always imagined that mental fatigue is indiscriminate however, whether you're an average Joe-Schmoe, Career/Work Professional, or an athlete (Pro or amateur).
All I'm saying folks is since this team has played practically a full season more than any other club in the last 3 years that it no doubt has taken a toll and we're seeing it before our eyes.
I did a google scrape and found these if anyone's interested.
How to prevent burnout in your workout routine and recover from it (Washington Post)
Burnout in Sport and Performance (Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology)
What Causes Athlete Burnout? A New Study Suggests Perfectionism Plays A Role (Forbes)
Burnout in Athletes (National Athletic Trainers' Association)
And for those with kid or student athletes out there...
ATHLETE BURNOUT: CAUSES AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES
A YEAR-LONG MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS JOURNEY 'Burnout is real': Student athletes' mental health is not a game