Introduction: Previous research has shown that burnout develops as the result of a continuous imbalance between chronic stress and appropriate coping resources. Hence, the essential factors to measure burnout encompassed the factors stress and recovery within our studies. However, the Burnout Prevention Questionnaire for Coaches (BPQ-C) does not represent a new questionnaire from scratch, but rather a re-evaluated, condensed, and subsequently combined instrument with scales derived from validated psychometric instruments. Methods: The objective of study 1 ( N = 233) was to create and evaluate the psychometric structure of the BPQ-C. The aim of study 2 ( N = 473) consisted in the validation of the BPQ-C via a Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results: The Exploratory Factor Analysis resulted in a model with three dimensions (Pre-Burnout, Resources, and Burnout). Via the subsequent Confirmatory Factor Analysis, the model could be confirmed with good fit indices (χ2 = 96.898, df = 19, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.973, SRMR = 0.044, RMSEA = 0.093, LO90 = 0.075, HI90 = 0.112). Conclusion: The BPQ-C includes a number of previously established risk and protective factors within a single psychometric instrument. The systematic application of the BPQ-C can help to detect critical conditions at an early stage in order to derive individualized and beneficial interventions for the respective coaches.

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Previous research has produced equivocal findings in regard to personal and environmental parameters influencing coaches' perceptions of stress and burnout levels. Moreover, there is a paucity of studies examining these factors in European professional sport contexts. This study investigated the influence of person-related (e.g., age, hours per week, level of recovery, coaching alternatives, experience as an assistant), sport-related (e.g., type of sport, working in youth or senior section, level of performing), and perception-related variables (e.g., feeling of meaningfulness, financial security) in relation to burnout of German full-time coaches. One-hundred and fifty eight coaches of different sports and levels completed a demographical survey, a German coaches' version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Coaches. Two contrasting groups were formed to compare coaches with the lowest scores in Emotional Exhaustion (lowest 20%) and the highest scores in Emotional Exhaustion (highest 20%). Overall Stress (β = 3.92, p < .001) and Overall Recovery (β = -2.86, p < .001) demonstrated significant effects on Emotional Exhaustion within multiple regression analysis. Moreover, the variables sense of well-being (r = -.46, p < .001), feeling of meaningfulness (r = -.28, p < .001) showed significant relationships to the key burnout symptom of Emotional Exhaustion. The extreme group comparison indicated significant differences in person-related and perception-related parameters. Recovery as well as social support might be important in managing stress in the challenging work environments of full-time coaches.Additionally, the perception of the current coaching job might be more important than context-related variables (e.g., type of sport, level). Reviewer: Thomas Curran (University of Gloucestershire, UK) INTRODUCTIONThe occupational group of full-time coaches has regularly to deal with a range of potential stressors in the workplace, including emotional and physical demands, caused by the complex nature of coaching work which is typically judged by performance outcomes [1]. They are required to engage in complex decision-making including player selections, problem-solving, and often within significant time constraints. Planning and preparation for practice and competitions are also part of coaches' work as well as dealing with governing boards and/or parents (in youth sport) and other external factors [2]. At the same time, they need to manage their own emotional and physical state to perform at their optimal level [3]. Typically, job and associated financial security are dependent upon the performance of the athletes and subsequently may influence the mental well-being of the coaches [4]. Hence, the issue of financial security is one distinctive difference between full-time and part-time coaches or volunteers. Associated with issues such as financial security is the pressure to perform, and over the duration of the season this stress is likely to accumulate and potentially l...

Paid coaches have to regularly deal with a range of potential stressors in the workplace. These stressors may include emotional and physical demands caused by the complex nature of coaching work. Many coaches have developed useful strategies to cope with these demands. Nevertheless, unexpected changes within the dynamic environment in which they typically operate (e.g., injury, public scrutiny, social media), problems with members of the board or management, continuous negative performance results, or personal factors may challenge the adequacy of coaches’ coping mechanisms. This inability to cope with these stresses can lead to a state of chronic stress. If that state manifests permanently, it can result in a state of emotional exhaustion, ultimately leading to coach burnout. The aim of this article is to define the burnout phenomenon and to provide a clear description of the triggering factors. Furthermore, ideas are presented to guide how coaches can protect themselves and how officials (club or association management) can reduce coaches’ burnout.

The development of burnout in the vocation of sports coaching is a process that can take months or even years. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of longitudinal examination of coaches’ burnout, stress, and recovery. The present study investigated burnout, stress, and recovery of full and part-time coaches to examine possible changes during the course of the season. Twenty-five full-time and 45 part-time active German coaches of different sports and competition levels completed the German coaches’ version of the MBI and the RESTQ for Coaches at three time points. Inferential statistical analysis revealed significant changes of full-time coaches’ stress and recovery scores over the course of the season. Moreover, the work hours per week were significantly higher at the end of the season. Post hoc analysis revealed that full-time coaches whose values of perceived success decreased over the season showed increased emotional stress and decreased recovery values. Part-time coaches reported consistent stress experiences. Consequently, findings suggest that full-time coaches experienced increased emotional stress, invested more time, and had insufficient recovery during the season. Thus, the results highlighted the significant role of recovery for full-time coaches and were particularly important to enhance the understanding of coaches’ work.