Work-Life Balance in Athletic Training

Athletic trainers frequently navigate a landscape of unpredictable hours, travel demands and intense clinical workloads, all of which can encroach upon personal time and recovery. Maintaining a healthy work–life balance in this field is vital for preserving physical and mental wellbeing, ensuring consistent quality of care and reducing professional attrition. Key contributors to imbalance include extended on-call responsibilities, overlapping administrative duties and the emotional labour of supporting injured athletes. Research has shown that unclear boundaries between work and home life intensify stress, elevate the risk of occupational burnout and heighten intentions to leave the profession. Conversely, deliberate strategies—such as structured rest periods, role clarity, peer mentoring and the integration of digital tools for remote monitoring—have demonstrated potential in fostering resilience and sustaining long-term engagement. Global case studies underscore the necessity of culturally sensitive policies and the provision of targeted resources to meet the diverse needs of athletic trainers across scholastic, collegiate and elite sport environments.

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Work-Life Balance in Athletic Training publication trend

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Technical terms

Occupational burnout: A state of physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from prolonged exposure to work-related stressors.

Organisational support: Resources and assistance provided by an employer to help employees manage job demands and maintain wellbeing.

Coping strategies: Behavioural and cognitive techniques employed by individuals to manage stress and emotional challenges.

Turnover intention: The expressed likelihood of an employee considering leaving their current position or profession.

References

1. The Intervening Effects of Perceived Organizational Support on COVID-19 Pandemic Stress, Job Burnout and Occupational Turnover Intentions of Collegiate Sport Athlete-Facing Professionals. Sustainability (2022).
2. The work stress, occupational burnout, coping strategies and organizational support of elite sports coaches in Sichuan Province: the mediating role of organizational support. Frontiers in Psychology (2024).
3. Perceptions of Wellness and Burnout Among Certified Athletic Trainers: Sex Differences. Journal of Athletic Training (2013).