Welbevinden in de topsport: De specifieke rol van sport-gerelateerde taakeisen, hulpbronnen en herstel

Similar to employees, elite athletes are exposed to different job demands. In this article we discuss the role of both situational determinants (sport-related demands and resources) and individual determinants (detachment) of well-being in elite sport. The research was conducted while taking into account physical as well as cognitive and emotional dimensions of sport-related demands and resources, detachment, and well-being. Four sub-studies of a doctoral dissertation are discussed (a psychometric study, a cross-sectional study, and two diary studies), which together show that it is both useful and necessary to differentiate between the physical, cognitive, and emotional nature of demands, resources, and detachment from sport. Moreover, the relations of sport-related demands and resources with elite athletes’ well-being are highly similar to the relations of work-related demands and resources with employee well-being. As such, theories and models in the domain of W/O psychology have the potential to assist elite athletes in their quest for healthy and optimal performance.