Womens Health (Lond). 2026 Jan-Dec;22:17455057261455275. doi: 10.1177/17455057261455275. Epub 2026 Jun 9.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundWomen’s futsal has experienced significant growth, highlighting the importance of understanding psychological need satisfaction and burnout as key determinants of athlete well-being. Basic psychological needs satisfaction, according to Self-Determination Theory, and athlete burnout are key constructs in promoting healthy and sustainable sports environments. Foot injuries are also prevalent in high-intensity sports such as Futsal and may be related to psychological outcomes in athletes.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological need satisfaction and burnout in female futsal players, and to explore associations between foot and ankle injuries (podiatric pathology), age, and sport experience with these psychological variables.DesignObservational, cross-sectional, descriptive study.MethodsNinety-four adult female futsal players from first and second national divisions participated. Participants completed a sociodemographic and injury questionnaire, the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ), and the Psychological Needs in Sport Questionnaire (PNSQ-15). Injury history included ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, fifth metatarsal fractures, and anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational statistics.ResultsThe majority of players (85%) reported previous injuries, with ankle sprains (73.4%) and plantar fasciitis (35.1%) being most common. PNSQ-15 scores indicated high activation and concentration, with moderate confidence and motivation. Greater age and sport experience were associated with higher concentration and motivation. ABQ scores were moderate overall; more weekly training hours were associated with lower burnout in the dimensions of reduced sense of accomplishment and sport devaluation. Players with plantar fasciitis showed higher burnout scores, particularly in reduced sense of accomplishment (p=0.036).ConclusionFemale futsal players showed favorable psychological skills and moderate levels of burnout. Age, sport experience, and training load were associated with some psychological dimensions, while the presence of certain foot injuries was related to higher burnout scores. These findings suggest that psychological need satisfaction, training load, and injury history are interrelated factors influencing burnout and psychological well-being in female futsal players.
PMID:42262746 | DOI:10.1177/17455057261455275
