Kuala lumpur: Burnout is more than ordinary fatigue – it is a syndrome that can erode spirit, health, and future prospects, not only for athletes but also for the general public if left unchecked. Former Director of the Sports Innovation and Technology Centre (SITC) and Senior Lecturer in Sports Science at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Ts Dr Hadafi Fitri Mohd Latip, explained that burnout does not occur suddenly but progresses through several stages, often signaled by early symptoms.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hadafi Fitri emphasized that early warning signs of burnout include prolonged tiredness, sleep disturbances, frequent illness or injury, depression, social withdrawal, emotional stress, and a sudden decline in performance. He stressed that early intervention is crucial if athletes begin to show these signs to prevent further harm to their performance and overall well-being.

Hadafi Fitri highlighted that sports science has proven that training without adequate recovery can lead to long-term negative effects. Effective training, he noted, is not only about working hard but also about doing it systematically and progressively through scientific methods such as periodisation, active recovery, and maintaining a balanced diet that provides sufficient nutrition. Ignoring these elements may not only cause athletes to fall short of their potential but also increase the risk of chronic injuries, as a poorly nourished body is more susceptible to damage.

However, he pointed out that athletes suffering from burnout still have the opportunity to recover by incorporating variety into their training, adhering to structured schedules, and receiving strong support from themselves, coaches, parents, and sports stakeholders. Many athletes who experienced burnout have managed to bounce back and return to their best, with some even becoming champions once they receive sufficient recovery and balanced training. Recovery, he emphasized, must involve training adjustments, psychological support, and scientific rehabilitation methods.

National athletics coach Mohd Manshahar Abdul Jalil also weighed in, cautioning that highly specific training from a very young age, known as early specialization, could lead to both mental and physical exhaustion, as well as long-term injury risks. He suggested that Malaysia could learn from developed countries such as Sweden and Germany, which prioritize fun and learning in sports development over early success. In Sweden, for example, competitions for athletes under 10 years old focus on enjoyment, teamwork, and building basic skills rather than winning. Children should first experience the joy of sports before being shaped into elite athletes. In Malaysia, however, many are already put into serious training as early as age seven or eight, which can lead to a loss of interest before they reach their full potential.