Burnout to balance: wellness strategies for university student-athletes

This study investigated the level of burnout and the recovery strategies practiced by university student-athletes at Batangas State University The National Engineering University. Specifically, it assessed burnout across five core dimensions: emotional exhaustion, reduced sense of accomplishment, sport devaluation, physical fatigue, and mental disengagement. Using a descriptive-exploratory research design, the researchers employed a validated, researcher-made questionnaire composed of both Likert-scale items and open-ended questions. A total of 105 student-athletes from seven ball game sports were selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were interpreted through thematic analysis. The results revealed a high overall level of burnout among the participants, with physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion emerging as the most prominent symptoms. While most athletes reported relying on basic recovery strategies such as rest, sleep, and social interaction, few practiced structured psychological recovery methods like mindfulness, counseling, or mental training. Based on their responses, student-athletes strongly advocated for institutional wellness interventions, including structured recovery programs, stress management workshops, and access to sports psychology services. These findings emphasize the need for athlete-centered and evidence-based wellness strategies that holistically address the mental and physical demands placed on university student-athletes. By responding to the lived experiences and expressed needs of athletes, institutions can better promote sustained performance, psychological resilience, and overall well-being in collegiate sports.