Burnout and cognitive workload among elite basketball coaches: Effects of coaching experience and practice structure

Burnout and cognitive workload present major challenges to coach well-being, yet few studies examine how these factors relate to practice structure preferences and coaching experience. This cross-sectional study investigated 103 elite Turkish basketball coaches (M age = 42.1 ± 6.3 years; M experience = 13.6 ± 4.2 years). Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey, cognitive workload via the NASA-TLX, and practice structure preference through a single-item measure based on the constraints-led approach (CLA). Coaches reported moderate burnout (M = 23.3, SD = 3.7) and high cognitive workload (M = 66.5, SD = 8.1). Correlation analyses revealed a small, nonsignificant inverse relationship between CLA preference and burnout (r = –.10, p = .29), and a significant but modest inverse association between experience and burnout (r = –.25, p = .011). Regression analysis showed that experience predicted lower burnout (β = –.23, p = .008, f² = .09), while CLA preference did not (β = –.16, p = .184). The model explained 7.9% of the variance in burnout (R² = .08). A second regression indicated no significant links between either predictor and cognitive workload (R² = .03, n.s.). T-tests showed nonsignificant burnout differences between high- and low-CLA groups (d = –0.17, p = .44). These results suggest that experience may provide some protection against burnout, while cognitive workload remains high regardless of practice design. Given the cross-sectional nature and single-item CLA measure, findings should be interpreted cautiously. Coach education should integrate pedagogical innovation with stress-management strategies to promote psychological sustainability.