Sports calendars have experienced an exponential growth in recent years, which is putting athletes in a situation of overload. Increasingly numerous and lengthy competitions are turning preparation and recovery into a titanic task. This saturation not only affects players, but also puts their physical and mental well-being at risk, especially in disciplines such as football and basketball. Where is the limit?
A clear example of this saturation can be seen in football and basketball, two of the most demanding and media-rich sports on the Old Continent. Top-level teams, such as those competing in the UEFA Champions League and the Euroleague, face schedules that can reach 60 or 70 games per season. This increase in competitions not only affects performance, but also increases the risk of injury due to the lack of adequate rest between events.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRAIN ON ATHLETES
Experts warn that the physical overload of players has become a constant concern. In team sports, the constant demand of high-level matches leaves little room for recovery. This has repercussions on the quality of athletes’ performance, which in turn affects the competitiveness of their teams. Many experts point out that this overload can lead to a decline in performance and increased risk of long-term injury.
Athletes’ physical stress is increasing with the overload of competitions, which also aggravates the mental load. Lack of adequate rest for players not only affects their ability to perform at the highest level, but generates additional psychological pressure. This aspect of mental workload is a factor that is not always taken into account in the design of schedules.
STRUCTURES AND SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM
In this context, some managers have begun to recognize the need to find a balance between the saturation of the calendar and the health of the athletes. Proposals such as reducing the number of matches and creating mandatory rest periods are being evaluated as possible solutions to ensure that players can compete at the highest level without jeopardizing their well-being.
International sports federations have a responsibility to ensure that the calendar does not become an obstacle to the performance and health of athletes. It is essential that these entities act in a coordinated manner to reduce overload and provide an environment where athletes can perform at their best without suffering the consequences of a busy schedule. Sport should be about the athlete, not the business.
SITUATION IN TENNIS AND GOLF
Tennis and golf present a somewhat different situation in that players have more control over their schedule (not entirely). Although the earnings of elite athletes have increased considerably in recent years, the number of tournaments in which they participate has not increased significantly. This allows them more flexible time management and better physical stress management, which could be a model for other disciplines to follow.
Despite the overload of competitions, athletes’ incomes have also increased, leading to a debate as to whether the accumulation of tournaments is actually beneficial to the sports industry as a whole. While the money is continuously flowing in, many question whether the welfare of athletes should come before the commercial expansion of events. A balance needs to be struck between economic growth and the sustainability of sport.
RESPONSIBILITY OF INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
Significant changes to sporting calendars are likely to be adopted in the future. The future of sport may lie in the search for a more sustainable model that allows athletes to reach their full potential without compromising their health. The future of sports calendars is under reflection. Federations, competition organizers and athletes themselves are called upon to rethink the current model and seek solutions that favor both sporting performance and health. The balance between commercial expansion and athlete care will be key to the long-term sustainability of sports.
