Coaching an Endangered Sport: Climate Change Concerns and Coaching Burnout in Youth Cross-Country Skiing

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore cross-country ski coaches’ concerns regarding climate change, symptoms of coaching burnout, and relationships between the two. Methods: Participants were cross-country ski coaches (N = 116) from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin with a variety of coaching roles and experience levels. A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional design was used. Coaches completed a survey with items measuring concerns about climate change’s current and future impacts on cross-country skiing and items from the Coach Burnout Questionnaire (CBQ). Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and post-hoc tests were conducted. Results: Coaches reported concerns about the impacts of climate change on cross-country skiing now and in the future. Coaches’ concerns about climate change and their degree of coaching burnout were significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.37–0.42, p < .001). That is, coaches who perceived climate change to be more disruptive to youth cross-country skiing felt more exhausted, less accomplished, and less invested in coaching. Conclusions: Concerns about climate change associate with worse well-being among cross-country ski coaches. As environmental challenges increasingly disrupt cross-country skiing, supporting coaches will be important. Future research and practical interventions should evaluate and aim to mitigate potential impacts of climate-related stressors and explore strategies to promote resilience and equity within the sport.