PYC4812
Assignment 1 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, INTRODUCTION
This assignment explores two significant issues in the field of sport psychology:
burnout and doping. In Section A, the focus is on burnout in sport—a
psychological syndrome that leads to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion
among athletes. The section aims to explore the causes of burnout, outline its
dimensions, definitions, and symptoms, and identify intervention strategies that
can be implemented to mitigate its impact. Section B shifts attention to the issue
of doping, a pressing concern in contemporary sport that undermines fair
competition and athlete health. This section requires the review and critical
analysis of three recent scientific articles (2020–2024), with the aim of
constructing annotated bibliographies that summarise each study’s purpose,
design, methodology, and findings. Lastly, Section C presents a one-page
integrated report based on the findings of the selected studies, highlighting key
insights and offering a conclusion. The assignment encourages a comprehensive
and critical engagement with real-world challenges in sport.
SECTION A
1. Causes of Burnout in Sport
Athlete burnout is a multidimensional condition influenced by a range of physical,
psychological, and social factors. One of the most recognized causes is
overtraining, which refers to an imbalance between training demands and
recovery periods. When athletes are exposed to high-intensity training without
adequate rest, they risk developing the overtraining syndrome, which can take
months or even years to recover from (Zandi Zulu, 2025). Recovery is not limited
to passive rest; it includes active methods such as sleep, proper nutrition,
relaxation, and engaging in meaningful non-sport activities.
Another significant cause is psychosocial sport stress. This arises when
athletes perceive that sport-related demands exceed their coping resources.
Such stress may come from interpersonal sources such as pressure from
coaches, teammates, or family, as well as internal sources like perfectionism, low
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 1 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, INTRODUCTION
This assignment explores two significant issues in the field of sport psychology:
burnout and doping. In Section A, the focus is on burnout in sport—a
psychological syndrome that leads to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion
among athletes. The section aims to explore the causes of burnout, outline its
dimensions, definitions, and symptoms, and identify intervention strategies that
can be implemented to mitigate its impact. Section B shifts attention to the issue
of doping, a pressing concern in contemporary sport that undermines fair
competition and athlete health. This section requires the review and critical
analysis of three recent scientific articles (2020–2024), with the aim of
constructing annotated bibliographies that summarise each study’s purpose,
design, methodology, and findings. Lastly, Section C presents a one-page
integrated report based on the findings of the selected studies, highlighting key
insights and offering a conclusion. The assignment encourages a comprehensive
and critical engagement with real-world challenges in sport.
SECTION A
1. Causes of Burnout in Sport
Athlete burnout is a multidimensional condition influenced by a range of physical,
psychological, and social factors. One of the most recognized causes is
overtraining, which refers to an imbalance between training demands and
recovery periods. When athletes are exposed to high-intensity training without
adequate rest, they risk developing the overtraining syndrome, which can take
months or even years to recover from (Zandi Zulu, 2025). Recovery is not limited
to passive rest; it includes active methods such as sleep, proper nutrition,
relaxation, and engaging in meaningful non-sport activities.
Another significant cause is psychosocial sport stress. This arises when
athletes perceive that sport-related demands exceed their coping resources.
Such stress may come from interpersonal sources such as pressure from
coaches, teammates, or family, as well as internal sources like perfectionism, low
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
