ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews requisite definitions, theory and research on burnout and suggests that methods and techniques for sport and exercise psychology clinicians to mitigate burnout experiences. It provides clinicians with case study examples that they may use to hone their burnout assessment and treatment skills. Burnout is a psychological phenomenon that was first described and categorized in working professionals. Sport, exercise and performance psychology research has come a long way in informing practice relative to burnout in sport. The current preferred self-report burnout assessment for athletes is the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). The ABQ has exhibited validity and reliability in measuring burnout in a variety of athlete populations across ages and competition levels. Self-determination theory, a motivational theory receiving much contemporary focus, has been useful in the understanding of burnout. The most in-depth knowledge base on burnout in sport is for competitive athlete populations.
