ABSTRACT
Decades of research has illuminated a multitude of factors that underpin health outcomes in elite athletes. This chapter highlights physical and psychosocial health concerns in active and former elite athletes. It is important for identifying health risks associated with involvement in high performance sport and provides important implications for athlete development. The chapter considers the synergy of the social, emotional, and spiritual elements to adequately assess health through a more integrated and holistic approach. Reaching optimal health and wellness will positively impact an athlete's training and developmental environment. Building on the earlier outlined concerns regarding overtraining, burnout is one of the key negative psychosocial health impacts associated with intensified or elite level sport participation. The implications of mental health issues on athlete development are complex, and highlight a need for a more complete understanding of underlying mechanisms that contribute to its manifestation in athletes.
