No matter how much young athletes love their sport, they remain vulnerable to mental health and wellbeing problems if they don't balance the demands of training with education, work, leisure and rest.
New research led by Flinders University exposes risks during the 'vulnerable transition window' for young athletes (17-24 years old) who face heavy dual-career demands, with 84.6% holding outside employment and 61.5% studying alongside intense training schedules.
"When a passion once pursued for fun begins to consume every waking hour, young athletes face heightened risks for poor mental health and wellbeing, both now and in the future," says Flinders University PhD candidate Jamie Wilson, lead author of a new article published in the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy.
"The elite pathway of a young athlete is packed with soaring highs and brutal lows, but the real secret to sustainable success could lie in the life they build outside of sport."
The new study exposes the steep personal cost behind athletic glory, arguing that 'occupational balance' - which is how athletes distribute their time across sport, education, work, leisure and rest - is a powerful force that shapes their mental health.
Female athletes and those who participate in individuals sports often face greater risks to their mental health, the researchers say.
Key contributing factors to poor mental health and wellbeing include:
EXCESSIVE time requirements for sport and training.
OFTEN needing to relocate and move away from important stable relationships.
FEELING 'objectified' as a commodity and relying on support systems tied to performance.
'SUPERHUMAN' expectations that can create profound obstacles to seeking help.
"Supporting young athletes beyond sport is not a distraction from victory, it is the vital foundation for developing healthier, stronger and more resilient athletes," adds Flinders University co-author Professor Ivanka Prichard.
"Interestingly, young athletes who pursue sport for personal enjoyment and a love for the game, rather than in response to external pressure, seem more likely to be persistent and be psychologically healthier, supported by their commitment and enthusiasm."
Young adults and teenagers, designated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a 'neglected population', need more support to maintain and build long-term wellbeing and resilience.
As global sporting events turn the world's focus towards peak performance, this research delivers an essential message: true athletic excellence and long-term wellbeing require a balanced life.
The article - 'Balancing act: An occupational lens on the process of becoming an elite athlete' (2026) by Jamie Wilson, Ivanka Prichard, Jasmine Petersen (Flinders and Adelaide University) and Brad Stenner (Adelaide University) - has been published in the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. DOI: 10. 1007/s44474-026-00006-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44474-026-00006-2.
