Athlete burnout is a growing concern in the sport context, affecting performance, psychological well-being, and long-term engagement. While traditional research often uses a variable-centered approach, a person-centered perspective may offer deeper insight into burnout patterns and their connection to athletes' experiences. Using a person-centered approach, the present study aimed to: (a) identify athlete burnout profiles based on perceptions of physical and emotional exhaustion, reduced accomplishment, and sport devaluation, and (b) examine how these specific burnout patterns relate to athletes’ goal orientations and affective experiences. A total of 249 high-level athletes (ages 18-39 years, M = 23.7, SD = 4.1) completed online surveys assessing burnout perceptions, goal orientations (ego/task), distress, and resilience. Latent profile analysis identified three profiles: Low, Moderate and Relatively High Burnout, respectively. Results showed significant differences in task goal orientation, ego goal orientation and distress levels across profiles, but no differences in resilience. In particular, athletes with higher task goal orientation were less likely to belong to the Moderate or Relatively High Burnout profile. Higher ego goal orientation was associated with a lower likelihood of being in the Relatively High Burnout profile compared to the Moderate one. In contrast, greater distress was linked to an increased likelihood of belonging to the Moderate or Relatively High Burnout profiles. These findings suggest that athletes with lower task and ego goal orientations and higher distress symptoms might be more susceptible to higher burnout perceptions. Coaches and sport psychologists should support athletes in developing balanced goal profiles while fostering a supportive sport environment that mitigates distress.

The psychological experience of competence is central to motivation for, and participation in, youth sport. To date, however, our understanding of this psychological phenomenon in sport has been limited to cognitive experiences of competence (e.g., perceived competence), with little exploration of affective experiences of competence as proposed in competence motivation theory (e.g., feelings of efficacy). In the present study, we examined the main and interactive effects of perceived competence and control on feelings of efficacy in youth sport. We recruited high school sport participants (N = 184; Mage = 15.48 years, SDage = 0.99 years) to complete measures of perceived sport competence, implicit beliefs about athletic ability (i.e., perceived control), and competence-related pride, guilt, and shame in youth sport. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses provided consistent support for the main effects of perceived competence on feelings of efficacy. However, there was limited support for the main effects of perceived control on feelings of efficacy and no support for the interactive effects of perceived competence and control on feelings of efficacy. These findings provide partial support of competence motivation theory and have both theoretical implications for the psychological experience of competence and practical implications for regulating affective experiences of competence in youth sport.

Organized sport provides youth with the opportunity to form interpersonal relationships and derive part of their identity from sport team membership. Though identities are negotiated within the context of interpersonal relationships, little research has examined how peer relationships may associate with athletes' social identity and downstream sport motivation. The purpose of this study was to examine whether positive peer relationships were associated with adaptive sport motivation by way of athlete social identity. High school athletes (N = 202, female n = 121, Mage = 16.1 years, SDage = 1.3 years) completed established measures of friendship quality and peer acceptance, social identity (cognitive centrality, ingroup affect), and sport enjoyment, enthusiastic sport commitment, and autonomous motivation. Observed path analysis showed neither friendship quality nor peer acceptance was directly associated with enthusiastic sport commitment, sport enjoyment, nor autonomous motivation. Friendship quality was positively associated with cognitive centrality (β = 0.30) and ingroup affect (β = 0.20), and peer acceptance was positively associated with ingroup affect (β = 0.25). In turn, cognitive centrality was positively associated with enthusiastic sport commitment (β = 0.21) and autonomous motivation (β = 0.24). Ingroup affect was positively associated with enthusiastic sport commitment (β = 0.42), sport enjoyment (β = 0.55), and autonomous motivation (β = 0.46). The pattern of indirect effects was partially aligned with expectations. Results suggest that the motivational importance of peer relationships may, in part, operate through features of athletes’ identification with their sport team.

There is a need to examine the utility of objective measures of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. Objective measures of ADHD symptoms, such as physical activity, may provide a more nuanced assessment of behavior that can be used to augment traditional cross-informant ratings of ADHD symptoms by parents and teachers. The most widely used and researched technique for objectively capturing children's physical activity is accelerometry (i.e., the use of small devices that measure gravitational acceleration). The current study examined the unique and interactive effects of mean levels of physical activity (physical activity volume) and intra-individual variability in physical activity (physical activity variability), as measured by accelerometry, on teacher-reported ADHD symptoms (hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention examined separately). One hundred seventy-six early elementary school students (Mage = 6.83, SD = 0.96, 53% male) from four midwestern schools and four northeastern schools were included. All were participants in a before-school intervention study involving physical activity or a sedentary classroom program. Data were collected using accelerometry during the intervention period and ADHD symptoms were reported by teachers following the intervention. Multiple regression models were used to examine the unique and interactive effects of physical activity volume and physical activity variability on ADHD symptoms. Results demonstrated that physical activity volume was positively associated with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, whereas physical activity variability was negatively associated with hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive symptoms. Additionally, when both physical activity variables were in the same model, only physical activity variability uniquely predicted ADHD symptoms after accounting for physical activity volume. Specifically, higher physical activity variability was linked with lower hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive symptoms. Objective measures of physical activity volume and physical activity variability may enhance our understanding of physical activity patterns as they relate to ADHD symptoms. Future research should continue to investigate the usability of objective measures of physical activity, and especially physical activity variability, as a screener to identify children at risk for ADHD.

Communication among teammates can influence sport experiences of athletes, including burnout. This might occur through sharing of burnout perceptions, fostering development of burnout perceptions in teammates (i.e., contagion). Contagion of burnout may depend on communication frequency with teammates as well as intrapersonal social constructs like loneliness, which can impact attentiveness to or interpretation of communication from others. Our study purpose was to (a) examine if exposure to teammate burnout predicted athlete burnout later in the season and (b) examine if loneliness moderated this relationship. Twice across their season, adolescent softball and baseball athletes (N = 176; 15 teams) completed two network questions about the frequency of speaking with teammates and closest friends on the team, respectively, and established measures of loneliness and burnout. Hierarchical linear regression models were estimated, one for each network question, for global burnout and burnout dimensions. Initial burnout perceptions (βs = .58-.72, ps < 0.001) predicted burnout perceptions at time two. Loneliness (βs = .15-.20 p ≤ 0.05) predicted global, exhaustion, and reduced accomplishment burnout perceptions at time two. Exposure to teammates' global burnout (β = .12, p ≤ 0.05) predicted global burnout perceptions at time two. Exposure to closest friends' burnout did not predict burnout at time two and loneliness did not moderate exposure—burnout relationships. Results offered some support for burnout contagion among adolescent athletes through spoken communication with teammates at practice. Future work should examine communication content to assess if and how particular messages from teammates contribute to athlete burnout perceptions.

Siblings are overlooked, yet potentially meaningful social agents in youth sport. To better understand the role of siblings in youth sport, we examined the association between sibling sport-referenced comparisons, relationship qualities, and perceived sport competence. The tendency to make sibling comparisons was expected to be positively related to sport competence perceptions and this association was further expected to be moderated by markers of sibling relationship quality. Participants were 47 sport-involved sibling dyads that included older siblings (25 female, 22 male, Mage = 10.94 ± 1.49 yrs) who were predominately first-born children (83%) and their younger siblings (23 female, 24 male participants, Mage = 8.45 ± 1.01 yrs) who were mostly second-born children (79%). Participants completed established assessments of comparison tendency, sibling relationship qualities, and sport competence perceptions. Analyses revealed a three-way interaction between birth position (younger or older sibling), tendency to compare, and sibling warmth predicting sport competence (p < .05). Younger siblings with a greater tendency to make sibling comparisons and higher warmth perceptions reported higher sport competence perceptions. The findings suggest that sibling-based comparisons and relational warmth may be salient for younger siblings in gauging their competence, whereas older siblings utilize alternative sources of competence information.

The purpose of this study was to explore the validity of evidence for self-efficacy to regulate physical activity scale (SERPA) measurement using an exploratory latent variable approach. The objectives were to explore the dimensionality, temporal invariance, and external validity of scores produced by the SERPA, a modified version of the barriers self-efficacy scale. Data (N-baseline = 461 and N30 days post-baseline = 427) from the Well-Being and Physical Activity Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854), which deployed the Fun For Wellness intervention, were analyzed. A two-dimensional factor structure explained responses to the SERPA at baseline. There was evidence for at least partial strict temporal measurement invariance for this two-dimensional structure. There was evidence for external validity of the SERPA measurement as evidenced by group assignment (i.e. the intervention) exerting a direct effect on the proposed two-dimensional structure of latent self-efficacy to regulate physical activity in adults with obesity at 30 days post-baseline.

This study examined whether the links between children's ADHD symptom severity and academic and social functioning varied based on their aerobic fitness levels. Hierarchical regression models were used to examine the main and interactive effects of inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive (HI) symptom severity and aerobic fitness levels on academic and social functioning in 198 children (Mage = 6.83; 53% male; 68% White, 14% Mixed Race, 8% Black or African American; 2% Asian; 8% selected the "Other" category when reporting racial identity; across race categories, 15% identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity). Children's aerobic fitness levels were assessed using a multistage fitness test. Parents rated children's ADHD symptoms, and teachers rated academic and social functioning. Results highlighted negative associations between ADHD symptom severity and adaptive academic and social functioning. Aerobic fitness was positively linked with academic performance. Aerobic fitness moderated the associations between HI symptom severity and academic outcomes, highlighting that aerobic fitness may be protective against academic impairments for children with elevated HI symptoms.

Objectives: This study investigated the unique associations of motor competence and ADHD risk status on school functioning. Additionally, this study examined the factor structure of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Short Form (BOT2-SF). Methods: Participants included early elementary school children (N = 202, M-age = 6.83, SD = 0.96, Male = 53.5%, ADHD-risk = 46.5%). Child assessments of motor competence and teacher and parent reports of school functioning were used. Results: A two-factor model of the BOT2-SF with correlated fine and gross motor factors and correlated residuals best fit the data. Fine and gross motor competence were unique positive predictors of academic performance, after accounting for the effects of ADHD-risk on academic performance. ADHD-risk was the only unique predictor of adaptive school behavior. Conclusion: Findings suggest that assessing for ADHD and motor competence in children demonstrating school functioning problems may better allow for targeted intervention in school

After-school physical activity interventions can assist high school students in meeting physical activity recommendations; however, little is known about what kinds of programs work best for students in rural settings. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore rural high school students’ perceptions of a multi-component, after-school physical activity intervention. Interviews were conducted with 10 students who had participated in a physical activity intervention. Thematic analysis was conducted on the interviews. Participants indicated that the intervention provided a supportive and motivating environment through the use of innovative technology and peer relatedness/involvement. Although barriers such as time constraints often prevented them from achieving their weekly goals, students expressed overall satisfaction with the intervention and a heightened self-motivation for physical activity. The qualitative approach provides a greater understanding of the perspectives of rural adolescents participating in a physical activity intervention. Findings can be useful to school nurses and inform the development of future physical activity interventions.

Abstract: Introduction: Concern about mental health is an increasingly relevant topic in high-performance sport. In this regard, because burnout can be harmful to both the health and performance of athletes, it is of particular importance. Although a great deal of time and effort has been dedicated to the study of athlete burnout, there are still issues that require further work. Therefore, in the present paper, we aim to highlight what, in our perspective, are the most important unsolved issues regarding burnout in athletes. Methods: We brought together expert athlete burnout scholars to offer their perspectives on five unresolved issues in this research area. Results: We describe the following five issues that require further research attention: (i) burnout as a syndrome, (ii) the negative consequences of burnout, (iii) the role of recovery in burnout, (iv) the importance of the social environment, and (v) developing effective interventions to reduce/prevent burnout. Conclusion: Our commentary provides suggestions for future research to help solve these problems, advance our understanding of athlete burnout, and ultimately safeguard the mental health of athletes.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether subgroups of disability-sport athletes exist on morality- and norm-based doping cognitions and whether these groups differ in anticipated guilt or doping intentions. A survey was completed by 186 athletes (Mage = 37.5 years, 78.0% male, 45.1% wheelchair basketball) assessing norms, doping moral disengagement, anticipated guilt, and intentions to dope. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct subgroups of athletes, including one potentially high-risk subgroup characterized by relatively high scores on doping moral disengagement, subjective norms, and descriptive norms. One-way analysis of variance revealed significantly lower anticipated guilt in two athlete subgroups characterized by relatively higher doping moral disengagement than the other two subgroups. Moreover, the potentially high-risk group had a greater proportion of athletes showing some presence of intention to dope. This study suggests there is a small subgroup of disability-sport athletes at elevated risk of doping who might benefit from targeted antidoping interventions.

BackgroundSaudi Arabia has one of the highest childhood obesity rates worldwide. The primary factor associated with the high prevalence of obesity among adolescents is a lack of physical activity (PA). Compared to male adolescents, very few Saudi female adolescents meet the World Health Organization recommendation of achieving 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per day, putting them at a higher risk of overweight and obesity.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between the theory of planned behavior and psychosocial factors, including attitude toward PA, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), PA intention, and self-reported PA among Saudi female adolescents.MethodsA convenience sample of 329 Saudi female adolescents was recruited from all-female public intermediate and high schools in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using online self-administered questionnaires. The theoretical model was examined using structural equation modeling.ResultsThe findings revealed a higher prevalence of overweight compared to obesity among participants. About half the participants were from families with a medium monthly income. The mean PA score indicated a low level of PA. The model demonstrated significant explanatory power for both PA intention and PA behavior, respectively. The strongest predictor of adolescents' intention was attitude, followed by PBC.Moreover, the female adolescents' attitudes and PBC had significant indirect effects on self-reported PA through intention, whereas intention had a direct effect on PA. The model did not support a direct or indirect relationship between subjective norms and PA.ResultsThe findings revealed a higher prevalence of overweight compared to obesity among participants. About half the participants were from families with a medium monthly income. The mean PA score indicated a low level of PA. The model demonstrated significant explanatory power for both PA intention and PA behavior, respectively. The strongest predictor of adolescents' intention was attitude, followed by PBC.Moreover, the female adolescents' attitudes and PBC had significant indirect effects on self-reported PA through intention, whereas intention had a direct effect on PA. The model did not support a direct or indirect relationship between subjective norms and PA.DiscussionThe findings provide essential support for targeting attitude and perceived behavior control of female adolescents in order to enhance their PA intention. This theoretical understanding can help design effective theory-based interventions that promote PA among Saudi female adolescents.

Introduction: Healthy People 2030 , a U.S. government health initiative, has indicated that increasing youth sports participation to 63.3% is a priority in the U.S. This study quanti fi ed the health and economic value of achieving this target. Methods: An agent-based model developed in 2023 represents each person aged 6 - 17 years in the U.S. On each simulated day, agents can participate in sports that affect their metabolic and mental health in the model. Each agent can develop different physical and mental health outcomes, associated with direct and indirect costs. Results: Increasing the proportion of youth participating in sports from the most recent participation levels (50.7%) to the Healthy People 2030 target (63.3%) could reduce overweight/obesity prevalence by 3.37% (95% CI=3.35%, 3.39%), resulting in 1.71 million fewer cases of overweight/obesity (95% CI=1.64, 1.77 million). This could avert 352,000 (95% CI=336,200, 367,500) cases of weight-related diseases and gain 1.86 million (95% CI=1.86, 1.87 million) quality-adjusted life years, saving $22.55 billion (95% CI=$22.46, $22.63 billion) in direct medical costs and $25.43 billion (95% CI= $25.25, $25.61 billion) in productivity losses. This would also reduce depression/anxiety symptoms, saving $3.61 billion (95% CI=$3.58, $3.63 billion) in direct medical costs and $28.38 billion (95% CI=$28.20, $28.56 billion) in productivity losses. Conclusions: This study shows that achieving the Healthy People 2030 objective could save thirdparty payers, businesses, and society billions of dollars for each cohort of persons aged 6 - 17 years, savings that would continue to repeat with each new cohort. This suggests that even if a substantial amount is invested toward this objective, such investments could pay for themselves. Am J Prev Med 2024;66(5):760 - 769. (c) 2023 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.