Dominant energy system influence on burnout in college female athletes: A follow up study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between burnout scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the dominant energy system utilized in sports competition and training. Participants included 115 female athletes at a Division I institution in the southeastern United States who were current member of the basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball teams. Participants were categorized as predominantly using the ATP-CP energy system, anaerobic glycolytic system, or oxidative energy system. Burnout was assessed using participant scores on the MBI subscales of Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and Personal Accomplishment (PA). Prior study results indicated athletes in the oxidative dominant system experienced higher levels of DP and PA while the current study did not reveal any significant differences. However, future research should explore the current finding of higher burnout levels on EE for team sport versus individual sport athletes.