Sport has always been associated with health - both physical and mental. It can lift your mood, help relieve stress and build resilience. But there are two sides to this coin. At some stage, exercise can become a source of pressure, pain and exhaustion. We are working with FK Pardubice on how to keep the joy of sport and not burn out, even at a professional level.
"Movement helps me extremely mentally. When I want to clear my head, I go running. When I want to experience the joy of the game and competitiveness, I reach for tennis or beach volleyball. Both sports tire me out physically but recharge me mentally. They help me switch off and be in the present moment," says Co-founder of Don't put out David Fiedler. "But during the period of burnout, I dropped the sport completely. I didn't have the strength or the desire. Gradually I found my way back to exercise and today I understand how important it is for me - not only as a means of prevention, but also as joy, motivation and a form of regeneration outside of work."
Movement as medicine - but not omnipotent
The joy of movement has a solid foundation in biology. During sport, neurotransmitters such as endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, but also adrenaline and noradrenaline are released. The combination of these substances causes the satisfaction of movement and the fact that we return to it repeatedly. Metastudies published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that regular exercise can be as effective as psychopharmaceuticals for mild mental health problems. However, it is important to add that it is not sufficient on its own for more serious conditions and should only be used as an adjunct to specialist treatment if appropriate in a particular case.
Loss of inflammation
For professional athletes, the natural joy of movement can fade. Training becomes an obligation, with pressure to perform, comparisons to make, fear of injury or losing a place in the team. On the way to winning and performing at their best, whether according to the scoreboards, their own opinion or the expectations of coaches, managers, parents or fans, they may feel anxious, inadequate, have an unhealthy relationship with food or burn out.
Sports burnout, also known as overtraining syndrome, is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by excessive and intense training. It occurs when the body and mind are subjected to constant stress without adequate time for rest and recovery.
Overtraining syndrome may be indicated by the following symptoms:
- reluctance to exercise and loss of motivation
- constant fatigue and (physical or emotional) exhaustion
- irritability, moodiness
- weakened immunity
- the feeling that training no longer recharges, but drains
In worse cases, recovery takes months and the athlete has to miss the whole season. Some say goodbye to the top level altogether.
Injury as a psychological test
Equally depressing for an athlete is an injury that does not allow him or her to engage in an activity that fulfils or even feeds them. He or she also knows that Tomas Solil, midfielder FK Pardubicewho hasn't been on a football pitch for almost ten months. "I had a tear in my meniscus and subsequently my cartilage broke off. I underwent two operations. That's when the doctor suggested that it could be a problem in the future. Until then, I didn't think I could quit playing. In times of injury and pain, you think about the end of your career. But I think I can mentally set myself up to be as well as possible," he comments.
During this period, the support of his family, coaches and other people in the club was especially important for him. Fortunately, he got it. "Pardubice is great at this. There has always been a group that has stood together. I felt the team environment and I can't remember a moment when I didn't have that. In the youth national team, where I didn't know so many players and I saw them for a week maybe three times a year, it was more difficult in this respect - to adapt and get to know each other more. I felt a bit strange and uncomfortable there."
Mental health also belongs on the playground
Not much is said about the mental side of football. While world-class players such as Andrés Iniesta, Gianluigi Buffon and Danny Rose have spoken publicly about their mental problems, very few athletes in the Czech Republic have spoken out - only Lukáš Pokorný is known for this. The reasons are various: not admitting the seriousness of the situation, ingrained stereotypes, fear of being condemned and losing a sponsor or a place in the national team. Social networks and sometimes overly critical fans often do not add to this. "It's part of it and I know it can throw some people off. Fans are entitled to their opinion and they can express it on social media. But I don't read it much, especially when I'm actively playing, so I vent and don't look at the comments and opinions at all to stay focused and continue on my way," says Tomas Solil, who finds it helps to be calm and be with himself in more stressful moments.
But the situation is gradually (albeit slowly) changing, not least because mental health is being talked about more generally. There is a younger generation of athletes, coaches and trainers who are taking mental health more seriously, realising that mental resilience is just as important as physical fitness.
Prevention is the key. Sufficient regeneration, varied training, inclusion of additional activities, work with a coach or therapist. The relationship with the coach and the level of support in the team also plays a big role. British sports psychologist Bill Beswick believes that when 60 % The coach influences the psychological well-being of the athlete.
"It makes sense," says Tomas to potential pro athletes.
"Concentrate on your dream and do your best for it, despite the obstacles. Sometimes all it takes is one or two moments to turn things in a different, right, direction."
Pardubice will not go out
This is also why cooperation between Nevyhasni and FK Pardubice. "The cooperation with FK Pardubice is exceptional for us in Nevyhasni because it is not limited only to the players, but also wants to reach out to the fans, club employees and the public. It is not a one-off event, but a year-round programme. The common goal is to open up the topic of mental resilience in sport, to create inspiring content, but also very practical tools to help players and fans manage pressure, stress and take preventive care of their health," says David Fiedler.
As part of the collaboration, we have created a special set of jerseys, workshops for the club or thematic content on social media, such as interviews with players or a "mental challenge" for fans and followers. We are also planning a podcast or a talk at the stadium for World Mental Health Day.
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