Seasonal variations in self-determined motivation, overtraining and athlete burnout

Abstract

The aim of present study was to investigate if variations in self-determined motivation and symptoms of overtraining, over the course of a competitive season for elite Norwegian cross-country skiers (n=13), could predict variations in athlete burnout. Participants responded to a questionnaire assessing self-determined motivation as well as burnout questionnaire at three time points (T 1, T 2, T 3) and overtraining symptoms at two time points (T 2, T 3). Findings indicate that self-determined motivation and amotivation is negatively and positively linked, respectively to burnout dimensions throughout the season. Symptoms of overtraining are not to be viewed as a general moderator for athlete burnout. Over the course of a season a relationship between elevated scores on amotivation and increasing burnout scores, was observed. An increase in self-determined motivation occurred simultaneously as self-determination reveals the strongest negative relationship to burnout dimensions. This is in line with previous studies highlighting the relationship between self-determined motivation and burnout propensity and that this relationship might have seasonal variations (Cresswell & Eklund, 2005; Lemyre et al., 2006; Lemyre et al., 2007). Coaches and athletes needs to be aware to the possible adaptive sides of monitoring self-determined motivation and amotivation, when steering clear of athlete burnout.