Relations between Burnout Tendency and Type A Behavior Patterns in College Women Athletes

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between burnout tendency and type A behavior pattern in university students who used to be the member of sports club in their high school days was examined. Questionnaires were distributed to a total of 408 first- to fourth-year female students who had belonged to a sports club in their high school days and who were enrolled in sports-related departments at university. Members of seven university sports clubs designated as competitive clubs had a significantly stronger burnout tendency than members of sports clubs not designated as competitive. Examination of injuries from past athletic activities showed that the rate of injuries was significantly higher in students who had belonged to a sports club in their high school days, but who did not join a club in university compared to those who also belonged to a sports club in university. These results suggest that students had discontinued athletic activities due to their injuries. The relationship analysis between burnout and injury showed that students who have had sports-related injuries had a higher Japanese workaholic score, a subscale of type A behavior pattern.