Although athletes may experience burnout under conditions of sport-life imbalance, Person-Environment Fit Theory suggests that a strong fit between the individual and their team can buffer this negative impact by fostering a sense of alignment. This study investigates the relationship between sport-life imbalance and burnout, with a particular focus on the moderating role of athletes’ perceived athlete-team fit. Survey data from 239 Korean athletes were analyzed using Hayes’ PROCESS Model 1 in SPSS 25.0. Results revealed that sport-life imbalance was positively associated with burnout, whereas athlete-team fit was negatively associated with burnout. Furthermore, athlete-team fit significantly moderated the relationship, such that the positive effect of sport-life imbalance on burnout was significantly mitigated at high levels of athlete-team fit. Grounded in Person-Environment Fit Theory, these findings highlight the critical importance of aligning team goals and values with those of athletes, particularly under stressful conditions. This study offers actionable insights for sports teams and coaching staff aiming to enhance athlete well-being, maintain performance, and promote the long-term sustainability of the team.
LewisSCooperC. Work-life integration: Case studies of organisational change. Chichester: Wiley, 2005.
2.
HaarJMRussoMSuñeA, et al.Outcomes of work–life balance on job satisfaction, life satisfaction and mental health: a study across seven cultures. J Vocat Behav2014; 85: 361–373.
3.
KellyMSolesRGarciaE, et al.Job stress, burnout, work-life balance, well-being, and job satisfaction among pathology residents and fellows. Am J Clin Pathol2020; 153: 449–469.
4.
Hartner-TiefenthalerMMostafaAMSKoeszegiST. The double-edged sword of online access to work tools outside work: the relationship with flexible working, work interrupting nonwork behaviors and job satisfaction. Front Public Health2023; 10: 1035989.
5.
ObrenovicBJianguoDKhudaykulovA, et al.Work-family conflict impact on psychological safety and psychological well-being: a job performance model. Front Psychol2020; 11: 475.
6.
BeauregardTAHenryLC. Making the link between work-life balance practices and organizational performance. Hum Resour Manag Rev2009; 19: 9–22.
7.
MontonKBroomesA-MBrassardS, et al.The role of sport-life balance and well-being on athletic performance. Can J Career Dev2022; 21: 101–108.
8.
DohertyRMadiganSMNevillA, et al.The sleep and recovery practices of athletes. Nutrients2021; 13: 1330.
9.
WalshNPHalsonSLSargentC, et al.Sleep and the athlete: narrative review and 2021 expert consensus recommendations. Br J Sports Med2021; 55: 356–368.
10.
ApaakDSarpongEO. Internal challenges affecting academic performance of student-athletes in Ghanaian public universities. J Educ Pract2015; 6: 18–23.
11.
KnightsSSherryERuddock-HudsonM. Investigating elite end-of-athletic-career transition: a systematic review. J Appl Sport Psychol2016; 28: 291–308.
12.
BurlotFRichardRJoncherayH. The life of high-level athletes: the challenge of high performance against the time constraint. Int Rev Sociol Sport2018; 53: 234–249.
13.
AruldossAKowalskiKBParayitamS. The relationship between quality of work life and work-life-balance mediating role of job stress, job satisfaction and job commitment: evidence from India. J Adv Manag Res2021; 18: 36–62.
14.
DixonMABrueningJE. Perspectives on work-family conflict in sport: an integrated approach. Sport Manag Rev2005; 8: 227–253.
15.
KhalilSMKhanSNShahFA. The impact of work life balance, role conflict and work overload on employee turnover intention through the mediating role of job stress. J Bus Tour2020; 6: 271–287.
16.
SuifanTSAbdallahABDiabH. The influence of work life balance on turnover intention in private hospitals: the mediating role of work life conflict. Eur J Bus Manag2016; 8: 126–139.
17.
ChangM-LGainesREMosleyKC. Effects of autonomy support and emotion regulation on teacher burnout in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychol2022; 13: 846290.
18.
FernetCAustinSTrépanierS-G, et al.How do job characteristics contribute to burnout? Exploring the distinct mediating roles of perceived autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Eur J Work Organ Psychol2013; 22: 123–137.
19.
GreenglassERFiksenbaumLBurkeRJ. The relationship between social support and burnout over time teachers. In: Occupational stress. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2020, pp.239–248.
20.
KuokACChioDKPunAC. Elite athletes’ mental well-being and life satisfaction: a study of elite athletes’ resilience and social support from an Asian unrecognised national Olympic committee. Health Psychol Rep2021; 10: 302.
21.
ParryKDBraimAGJullRE, et al.No longer a sign of weakness? Media reporting on mental ill health in sport. Int J Sport Commun2023; 17: 171–181.
22.
MadiganDJOlssonLFHillAP, et al.Athlete burnout symptoms are increasing: a cross-temporal meta-analysis of average levels from 1997 to 2019. J Sport Exerc Psychol2022; 44: 153–168.
23.
MatuleviciusSAKhoKAReischJ, et al.Academic medicine faculty perceptions of work-life balance before and since the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA network Open2021; 4: e2113539–e.
24.
SchiemanSBadawyPHillD. Did perceptions of supportive work–life culture change during the COVID-19 pandemic?J Marriage Fam2022; 84: 655–672.
25.
HellerHCHerzogEBragerA, et al.The negative effects of travel on student athletes through sleep and circadian disruption. J Biol Rhythms2024; 39: 5–19.
26.
ChunYSagasMWendlingE. The intervening effects of perceived organizational support on COVID-19 pandemic stress, job burnout and occupational turnover intentions of collegiate sport athlete-facing professionals. Sustainability2022; 14: 6807.
27.
PoucherZATamminenKAWagstaffCR. Organizational systems in British sport and their impact on athlete development and mental health. Sport Psychol2021; 35: 270–280.
28.
EdwardsJRCableDM. The value of value congruence. J Appl Psychol2009; 94: 654.
29.
KristofAL. Person-organization fit: an integrative review of its conceptualizations, measurement, and implications. Pers Psychol1996; 49: 1–49.
30.
ShanafeltTDWangHLeonardM, et al.Assessment of the association of leadership behaviors of supervising physicians with personal-organizational values alignment among staff physicians. JAMA Network Open2021; 4: e2035622.
31.
KilroySFloodPCBosakJ, et al.Perceptions of high-involvement work practices, person-organization fit, and burnout: a time-lagged study of health care employees. Hum Resour Manag2017; 56: 821–835.
32.
TongJWangLPengK. From person-environment misfit to job burnout: theoretical extensions. J Manag Psychol2015; 30: 169–182.
33.
ZengPHuX. A study of the psychological mechanisms of job burnout: implications of person–job fit and person–organization fit. Front Psychol2024; 15: 1351032.
34.
AfsarBBadirYF. Person–organization fit, perceived organizational support, and organizational citizenship behavior: the role of job embeddedness. J Hum Resour Hosp Tour2016; 15: 252–278.
35.
SørlieHOHetlandJBakkerAB, , et al.Daily autonomy and job performance: does person-organization fit act as a key resource?J Vocat Behav2022; 133: 103691.
36.
LiaoP-Y. Proactive personality, job crafting, and person-environment fit: does job autonomy matter?Curr Psychol2023; 42: 18959–18970.
37.
KalliathTBroughP. Work–life balance: a review of the meaning of the balance construct. J Manag Organ2008; 14: 323–327.
38.
GoffenaJDHornTS. The relationship between coach behavior and athlete self-regulated learning. Int J Sports Sci Coach2021; 16: 3–15.
39.
OnizMGocerI. Positive and negative effects of high-intensity interval training on athletic performance. J Exerc Sci Phys Act Rev2024; 2: 137–153.
40.
EcclesDWCaviedesGBalkYA, et al.How to help athletes get the mental rest needed to perform well and stay healthy. J Sport Psychol Action2021; 12: 259–270.
GouttebargeVCastaldelli-MaiaJMGorczynskiP, et al.Occurrence of mental health symptoms and disorders in current and former elite athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med2019; 53: 700–706.
43.
McLeodCLovichJNewmanJI, et al.The training camp: American football and/as spectacle of exception. J Sport Soc Issues2014; 38: 222–244.
44.
JackmanPCHawkinsRMBirdMD, et al.Loneliness in sport: a systematic mixed studies review. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol2024: 1–27.
45.
WashifJAMohd KassimSFALewPCF, et al.Athlete's perceptions of a “quarantine” training camp during the COVID-19 lockdown. Front Sports Act Living2021; 2: 622858.
46.
HecimovichM. Sport specialization in youth: a literature review. J Am Chiropr Assoc2004; 41: 32–41.
KhalidARajaUMalikAR, et al.The effects of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic on work–life balance, work–family conflict and employee burnout. J Organ Eff People Perform2024; 11: 749–766.
49.
SusantoPHoqueMEJannatT, et al.Work-life balance, job satisfaction, and job performance of SMEs employees: the moderating role of family-supportive supervisor behaviors. Front Psychol2022; 13: 906876.
LonsdaleCHodgeKRoseE. Athlete burnout in elite sport: a self-determination perspective. J Sports Sci2009; 27: 785–795.
52.
JowettGEHillAPHallHK, et al.Perfectionism and junior athlete burnout: the mediating role of autonomous and controlled motivation. Sport Exerc Perform Psychol2013; 2: 48.
53.
VallerandRJVerner-FilionJ. Theory and research in passion for sport and exercise. In: Handbook of sport psychology. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
54.
O'NeilLAmoroseAJPierceS. Student-athletes’ dual commitment to school and sport: compatible or conflicting?Psychol Sport Exerc2021; 52: 101799.
55.
RusbasanDCollissonBHamE. Toxic coaching of collegiate student-athletes: burnout mediates the relation between school/sport conflict and commitment. J Issues Intercoll Athl2023; 14: 37.
56.
DelrueJSoenensBMorbéeS, et al.Do athletes’ responses to coach autonomy support and control depend on the situation and athletes’ personal motivation?Psychol Sport Exerc2019; 43: 321–332.
57.
KimballAC. You signed the line”: collegiate student-athletes’ perceptions of autonomy. Psychol Sport Exerc2007; 8: 818–835.
58.
MossmanLHSlempGRLewisKJ, et al.Autonomy support in sport and exercise settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol2024; 17: 540–563.
59.
ClausenTPedersenLRMAndersenMF, et al.Job autonomy and psychological well-being: a linear or a non-linear association?Eur J Work Organ Psychol2022; 31: 395–405.
60.
RyanRMDeciEL. Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. New York: Guilford publications, 2017.
61.
ShiromANirelNVinokurAD. Overload, autonomy, and burnout as predictors of physicians’ quality of care. J Occup Health Psychol2006; 11: 328.
62.
Isoard-GautheurSGuillet-DescasELemyreP-N. A prospective study of the influence of perceived coaching style on burnout propensity in high level young athletes: using a self-determination theory perspective. Sport Psychol2012; 26: 282–298.
63.
MoenFFedericiRAAbrahamsenF. Examining possible relationships between self-determination and burnout among junior athletes in sport. Int J Coach Sci2015; 9: 3–19.
64.
RussellWD. The role of athletic identity and perceived social support on college female Athletes’ burnout. J Sport Behav2021; 44: 99–119.
65.
ShangYYangS-Y. The effect of social support on athlete burnout in weightlifters: the mediation effect of mental toughness and sports motivation. Front Psychol2021; 12: 649677.
66.
ShanderKPetrieT. Transitioning from sport: life satisfaction, depressive symptomatology, and body satisfaction among retired female collegiate athletes. Psychol Sport Exerc2021; 57: 102045.
67.
RaanesEFHrozanovaMMoenF. Identifying unique contributions of the coach–athlete working alliance, psychological resilience and perceived stress on athlete burnout among Norwegian junior athletes. Sports2019; 7: 212.
68.
RaedekeTDSmithAL. The Athlete Burnout Questionnaire manual. Morgantown: Fitness Information Technology, 2009.
69.
DeFreeseJSmithAL. A person-centered exploration of athlete burnout across a competitive season. J Clin Sport Psychol2020; 15: 89–104.
70.
WoodsSDunneSGallagherP, et al.A systematic review of the factors associated with athlete burnout in team sports. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol2025; 18: 70–110.
71.
De FranciscoCArceCdel Pilar VílchezM, et al.Antecedents and consequences of burnout in athletes: perceived stress and depression. Int J Clin Health Psychol2016; 16: 239–246.
72.
Isoard-GautheurSGuillet-DescasEGustafssonH. Athlete burnout and the risk of dropout among young elite handball players. Sport Psychol2016; 30: 123–130.
73.
Mouelhi-GuizaniSGuinoubiSTeyebN, et al.Effect of practice hours on elite junior tennis players’ burnout: gender differences. Int J Sports Sci Coach2022; 17: 1418–1427.
74.
KimS-KChoiH. Effects of coaches’ autonomy support on athletes’ aggressive behavior and athlete burnout: verification of the mediating effects of coach-athlete relationship and team efficacy. Front Psychol2024; 15: 1388185.
75.
LassiterJWCampbellAL. Perceived effectiveness of study skills training for division III college athletes: a pilot program. J Athlete Dev Exp2023; 5: 3.
76.
Kristof-BrownALZimmermanRDJohnsonEC. Consequences OF INDIVIDUALS’FIT at work: a meta-analysis OF person–job, person–organization, person–group, and person–supervisor fit. Pers Psychol2005; 58: 281–342.
77.
WeinerBWeinerB. Kurt Lewin’s field theory. In: Human motivation. New York: Springer, 1985, pp.141–178.
78.
FrenchJ. Adjustment as person-environment fit. In: Coping and adaptation. New York: Basic Books, 1974.
79.
De CoomanRVleugelsW. Person–environment fit: theoretical perspectives, conceptualizations, and outcomes. In: Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022. DOI:10.1093/acrefore/9780190224851.013.377.
80.
EdwardsJR. Person-job fit: A conceptual integration, literature review, and methodological critique. Oxford, England: John Wiley & Sons, 1991.
81.
HoffmanBJWoehrDJ. A quantitative review of the relationship between person–organization fit and behavioral outcomes. J Vocat Behav2006; 68: 389–399.
82.
DeFreeseJRaedekeTDSmithAL. Athlete burnout: An individual and organizational phenomenon. In: Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2015.
83.
ChenPSparrowPCooperC. The relationship between person-organization fit and job satisfaction. J Manag Psychol2016; 31: 946–959.
84.
MereczDAndyszA. Relationship between person-organization fit and objective and subjective health status (person-organization fit and health). Int J Occup Med Environ Health2012; 25: 166–177.
85.
BoonCBironM. Temporal issues in person–organization fit, person–job fit and turnover: the role of leader–member exchange. Hum Relat2016; 69: 2177–2200.
86.
GagnéMDeciEL. Self-determination theory and work motivation. J Organ Behav2005; 26: 331–362.
87.
UlutaşMKalkanABozkurtÖÇ. The effect of person-organization fit on job stress and conflict: an application on employees of businesses in Dalaman international airport. Int J Soc Sci Humanit Stud2008; 3: 281–291.
88.
LeeSKwonSLeeD. The effects of perceived trust in coach on performance in soccer team: mediating role of team climate. Int J Sports Sci Coach2025; 20: 888–898.
89.
AndersonJCGerbingDW. Structural equation modeling in practice: a review and recommended two-step approach. Psychol Bull1988; 103: 411.
90.
FornellCLarckerDF. Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. J Mark Res1981; 18: 39–50.
91.
NunnallyJC. An overview of psychological measurement. In: Clinical diagnosis of mental disorders: a handbook. Boston: Springer, 1978, pp.97–146.
92.
HaarJM. Testing a new measure of work–life balance: a study of parent and non-parent employees from New Zealand. Int J Hum Resour Manag2013; 24: 3305–3324.
93.
BrownTA. Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research. New York: Guilford publications, 2015.
94.
KlineRB. Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. New York: Guilford publications, 2023.
95.
RaedekeTDSmithAL. Development and preliminary validation of an athlete burnout measure. J Sport Exerc Psychol2001; 23: 281–306.
96.
SaksAMAshforthBE. Is job search related to employment quality? It all depends on the fit. J Appl Psychol2002; 87: 646.
97.
KlineP. A handbook of test construction (psychology revivals): introduction to psychometric design. London: Routledge, 2015.
98.
HayesAF. Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. New York: Guilford publications, 2017.
99.
HollingsSCMallettCJHumePA. The transition from elite junior track-and-field athlete to successful senior athlete: why some do, why others don't. Int J Sports Sci Coach2014; 9: 457–471.
100.
EricssonKAKrampeRTTesch-RömerC. The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychol Rev1993; 100: 363.
101.
MyerGDJayanthiNDifioriJP, et al.Sport specialization, part I: does early sports specialization increase negative outcomes and reduce the opportunity for success in young athletes?Sports Health2015; 7: 437–442.
102.
ZinkeTJ. Early Sport Specialization and Chronic Injuries in College Students. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2024.
103.
JinHKimSLoveA, et al.Effects of leadership style on coach-athlete relationship, athletes’ motivations, and athlete satisfaction. Front Psychol2022; 13: 1012953.
104.
RatulomaiS. Contemporary organisational culture and competitive advantage. The case of the Crusaders super rugby franchise. PhD Thesis, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, 2023.
DahleezKAAboramadanMBansalA. Servant leadership and affective commitment: the role of psychological ownership and person–organization fit. Int J Organ Anal2021; 29: 493–511.
108.
MarkusHRKitayamaS. Culture and the self: implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychol Rev1991; 98: 224–253.
