Balancing sport with rest and work may support young athletes’ mental health

No matter how much young athletes love their sport, they remain vulnerable to mental health and well-being problems if they don’t balance the demands of training with education, work, leisure and rest.

New research led by Flinders University exposes risks during the “vulnerable transition window” for young athletes ages 17–24 who face heavy dual-career demands, with 84.6% holding outside employment and 61.5% studying alongside intense training schedules.

“When a passion once pursued for fun begins to consume every waking hour, young athletes face heightened risks for poor mental health and well-being, both now and in the future,” says Flinders University doctoral candidate Jamie Wilson, lead author of a new article published in the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy.

“The elite pathway of a young athlete is packed with soaring highs and brutal lows, but the real secret to sustainable success could lie in the life they build outside of sport.”

The new study exposes the steep personal cost behind athletic glory, arguing that “occupational balance”—how athletes distribute their time across sport, education, work, leisure and rest—is a powerful force that shapes their mental health.

Female athletes and those who participate in individual sports often face greater risks to their mental health, the researchers say.

Key contributing factors to poor mental health and well-being include:

Excessive time requirements for sport and training.

Often needing to relocate and move away from important stable relationships.

Feeling “objectified” as a commodity and relying on support systems tied to performance.

“Superhuman” expectations that can create profound obstacles to seeking help.

“Supporting young athletes beyond sport is not a distraction from victory; it is the vital foundation for developing healthier, stronger and more resilient athletes,” adds Flinders University professor and co-author Ivanka Prichard.

“Interestingly, young athletes who pursue sport for personal enjoyment and a love for the game, rather than in response to external pressure, seem more likely to persist and be psychologically healthier, supported by their commitment and enthusiasm.”

Young adults and teenagers, designated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a “neglected population,” need more support to maintain and build long-term well-being and resilience.

As global sporting events turn the world’s focus toward peak performance, this research delivers an essential message: True athletic excellence and long-term well-being require a balanced life.

Who’s behind this story?

Swati Mestri

Swati Mestri holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked as a content editor since 2019. She has experience editing research documents across technology, health care, and materials science, and has a particular interest in technology and space.

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Andrew Zinin

Master’s in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X’s editorial success.

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