People of all ages all around the world play sports. Sports help create a healthy body, create bonds among teammates and help learn life skills. One could argue that the most important time for an aspiring athlete is during their high school and college years so that they can get scholarships.
High school sports can prepare people for becoming a collegiate athlete. It is an important time for athletes who want to continue their athletic careers and play professionally.
It is estimated that there are over 8 million students who participate in high school sports and according to the NCAA, there are currently over 520,000 college athletes in the United States. Only two percent of them go pro, which means that most student athletes are not able to continue their passions as part of their profession.
With all this being said, burnout can be described as losing interest in one’s sport. In the opinion of some, athletic programs of today have moved away from inclusive and fun environments and have become more focused on creating a pro athlete. Kids can also become exhausted mentally or physically, or just simply lose interest.
Student athletes have a lot to balance with school and rigorous physical activity. Studies have shown that being pressured by coaches can severely harm a player’s passion and decrease their self-confidence. Burnout can lead to bad habits and overexerting oneself mentally and physically. Sports can become part of an athlete’s identity and when they face so much pressure, it becomes difficult to enjoy playing the sport and can affect health poorly.
Athletes need to be aware that feeling this burnout does not mean that there is something wrong with them. It is normal to have interests change and it is normal to take a rest. Being able to recognize these feelings and deciding what is best for themselves both physically and mentally is a highly respectable and brave feat.
