Young Athlete Burnout: Spot the Signs Before It’s Too Late

As winter sports wrap up and the spring/summer season begins, many young athletes across Perth are heading straight into another round of intense training, trials, and competition. While sport offers countless benefits for children and teens — fitness, teamwork, resilience — it’s important to recognise when physical and mental fatigue may be tipping into something more serious: burnout.

At Joondalup Sports Medicine, we’re seeing a growing number of young people presenting with injuries, fatigue, and emotional stress related to sport. With years of experience supporting junior and elite athletes, the team at Joondalup Sports Medicine understands the unique pressures today’s young sportspeople face — and how to help them maintain performance without sacrificing their health.

What is athlete burnout?

Burnout is more than just being tired. It’s a physical, emotional, and psychological response to ongoing stress, overtraining, or pressure — often without enough rest or recovery. It’s especially common in high-performing or multi-sport young athletes.

Common signs of burnout in young athletes:

• Chronic fatigue or lack of energy
• Ongoing or repeated injuries
• Loss of enthusiasm or motivation for sport
• Declining performance despite continued effort
• Increased irritability, anxiety, or mood changes
• Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
• Complaints of aches, pain, or stiffness with no clear cause

What causes it?

Burnout often stems from a combination of:

• Overtraining or playing multiple sports year-round
• Pressure to perform, from coaches, parents, or themselves
• Lack of rest days or off-seasons
• Inadequate recovery from injuries
• Poor load management, especially during growth spurts

Why it matters

If ignored, burnout can lead to:

• Long-term injuries (e.g. stress fractures, tendinopathies)
• Mental health issues (e.g. anxiety, depression)
• Dropping out of sport entirely
• Delayed physical development or growth-related complications

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How Joondalup Sports Medicine Can Help

Whether your child is playing at a high level or just loves being active, it’s vital to take signs of burnout seriously. Sports Doctors can work closely with your family and coaching team to assess your child’s physical health, screen for injury risk, and help develop a balanced training and recovery plan.

Sports Doctors are uniquely trained to:

• Diagnose and manage overuse injuries
• Monitor growth-related issues in young athletes
• Advise on load management and rest cycles
• Liaise with allied health professionals like physios, coaches, and nutritionists
• Support mental wellbeing and recovery through a holistic approach

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Support Their Potential – Don’t Push Through Pain

Helping young athletes thrive isn’t just about pushing harder — it’s about listening to their bodies, encouraging recovery, and seeking professional advice when something doesn’t feel right.

If your child has been feeling run down, in pain, or simply not themselves, now is the time to act.

Book a consultation with the team at Joondalup Sports Medicine and give your young athlete the care they deserve.