Fueling the Fire: Exploring the Interplay of Exhaustion, Passion for Work, and Physical Activity Among Scientists

Abstract: Background: Exhaustion is a prevalent concern in the modern workforce, leading to significant personal and organizational drawbacks. Scientific professions, in particular, report high levels of exhaustion, making it imperative to explore its protective and risk factors. Aims: This study aims to investigate the relationships between exhaustion, passion for work, and physical activity (PA) among German-speaking scientists. Understanding these associations could offer insights into mitigating exhaustion in this high-risk group. Method: We utilized pearson correlation tests and multiple regression analyses to examine data from N = 769 German-speaking scientists. Results: Findings indicate that scientists with higher levels of harmonious passion experience significantly lower exhaustion levels. Enjoyment derived from PA was moderately negatively correlated with exhaustion, while the time spent on PA showed a weaker association. Furthermore, we identified a positive association between working overtime and exhaustion. Limitations: Our findings are limited by its cross-sectional design, which precludes causal inferences. Additionally, replication attempts with data from other countries than Germany are important, as academic working conditions vary between countries. Conclusion: This study highlights the vulnerability of scientists to exhaustion and underscores the protective role of harmonious passion and enjoyment of PA. These findings suggest that fostering harmonious passion for work and promoting enjoyable PA could be beneficial in mitigating exhaustion among scientists. The link between overtime work and exhaustion warrants further investigation, offering a potential avenue for future interventions aimed at reducing exhaustion in scientists.