Burnout rates and associated factors among athletic trainers in American professional baseball

Abstract: Introduction: Athletic trainers (ATs) are thought to be at risk of burnout due to the intense nature of their work. AT burnout has been studied in high school and collegiate settings, but not in professional sports. The goals of this study were to measure burnout rates throughout the season, determine how these rates compare to collegiate level ATs, and explore burnout predictors. Methods: Full-time American professional baseball ATs (N=476) were surveyed using a repeated, cross-sectional design at three time points across the 2024 season using validated burnout, mental health and well-being instruments. Results: The sample size at T1 was 228 (48%), T2 was 205 (43%), and T3 was 160 (34%). Mean scores on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory scores were significantly lower in the professional baseball AT sample than in college samples. Burnout in season was higher than the offseason and higher in women than men. Predictors of burnout included work-related stressors, work-family conflict, low life satisfaction, poor mental health, and substance use. Discussion: Burnout in professional baseball is lower than in college AT samples, potentially due to higher salaries and a defined off season. Burnout predictors can be utilized during routine mental health screening prior to and during the season. Women ATs may benefit from increased support for work-life balance to prevent burnout and/or early departure from the profession. Conclusion: This study documents lower burnout rates and similar burnout predictors in professional ATs compared to collegiate ATs. Strategies for preventing AT burnout through mental health screening, individual support and organizational change are detailed.