Journal of Sports Research

Quantifying perceived stress and burnout of NCAA division I athletic department support staff members

Katherine Lee — 2026-01-02

Employment in collegiate athletics often involves a fast-paced, high-pressure, stressful environment for employees that may lead to the development of burnout. This study examined the perceived stress and burnout of support staff members (e.g., athletic training, marketing). Surveys were delivered to 15,513 current support staff members via email in August 2024 and March 2025. A total of 314 (2.02%) completed both surveys (35.63 ± 9.77 years; 49.5% female). Participants reported moderate perceived stress (PSS) (T1: 15.97 ± 6.39; T2: 16.40 ± 6.74), personal burnout (PB) (T1: 48.98 ± 18.86; T2: 50.03 ± 18.93), work-related burnout (WR) (T1: 48.78 ± 17.39; T2: 50.52 ± 17.15), and low client-related burnout (CR) (T1: 31.99 ± 19.30; T2: 36.01 ± 20.78). PSS was positively correlated with all three subscales of burnout at both time points. WR and CR were significantly greater in March. PSS and burnout did not differ by institution type (Power Four, Mid-major) or football responsibilities. However, individuals consistently interacting with student athletes reported greater PB (p=0.031). Age and years of experience were both positively correlated with changes in PSS and WR between time points. This study provided insight into the stress and burnout of all athletic department support staff, with previous work focused on athletic trainers alone. Administrators can utilize this information to understand the current well-being of their employees. By providing early intervention through resources (e.g., employee assistance programs) and departmental changes (e.g., staffing, work hours), administrators can aim to decrease the risk of burnout and related consequences.

Strengthening memory: The impact of resistance training on cognitive health in aging and cognitive impairment

Khaoula Ennahli — 2026-03-25

This review examines resistance training (RT) as a pathway for preserving declarative memory in later life, addressing a critical gap in the literature where RT has been largely subsumed under general physical activity despite its distinct neurobiological profile. We aimed to clarify whether RT uniquely supports declarative memory vulnerable to healthy aging, mild cognitive impairment, and early neurodegenerative pathology. We conducted a multilevel synthesis of evidence from randomized controlled trials, neuroimaging studies, electrophysiology, and molecular research examining RT effects on memory, brain structure, network connectivity, and underlying biological mechanisms. Particular attention was given to hippocampal subfields, default-mode and fronto-hippocampal networks, and exercise-responsive neurotrophic, vascular, metabolic, and inflammatory pathways. Across modalities, converging evidence indicates that RT attenuates hippocampal and precuneus atrophy, preserves white-matter integrity, strengthens functional connectivity within memory networks, and enhances neural efficiency indexed by oscillatory and event-related electrophysiological markers. Biologically, RT reliably increases insulin-like growth factor-1 and improves insulin sensitivity, endothelial function, and inflammatory balance, creating a plastic milieu that supports hippocampal resilience. Cognitive benefits are most consistent in mild cognitive impairment, with parallel improvements in mood, functional independence, and quality of life. These findings position RT as a scalable, cost-effective intervention that compares favorably with other intervention modalities. Progressive RT should be considered a core component of prevention and care strategies for cognitive aging, with implications for clinical practice, community programs, and public health policy.

Cognitive load and decision-making in youth soccer training: Implications for player development

Arman Sargsyan — 2026-03-30

Football performance is dependent upon quick decision making, perceptual abilities, and cognition. In many youth football development programs, however, coaches fail to fully address the cognitive demands placed on players during games. This article uses principles of cognitive load theory, motor learning, and sport psychology to discuss how cognitive load affects decision-making in youth players. Different coaching practices either increase or decrease cognitive load, depending on how a coach structure activities. Tips on how coaches can achieve a desirable cognitive load are presented. Youth football coaches should strive to find the balance that allows players to achieve their maximum learning potential without overloading their working memory. Ideal cognitive load promotes quicker and smarter decision making on the field, increased confidence, and long-term player development. The purpose of this article is to explore how Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) can be applied to youth soccer instruction with the goal of expediting decision-making skills and producing more effective long-term athlete development. A conceptual/integrative review design was utilized and informed by cognitive load theory, ecological dynamics, and motor learning and skill acquisition literature. This analysis discussed how various task constraints impact working memory capacity, perception–action coupling, and schema development in youth players. However, small-sided games and constraint-led practices that are appropriately challenging allow for germane cognitive processing and the development of flexible decision-making abilities. Methodically manipulating space, numbers, rules, and the coach’s teaching behavior favors anticipation and scanning behaviors while developing efficient first-touches and reducing anxiety during game-play.