Publication Date

Spring 2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Howard Tokunaga; Megumi Hosoda; Terry Holmes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively examine the relationship between strength training and burnout to assess whether consistent engagement in strength training would be associated with lower levels of burnout. Results of an online survey administered to 119 participants revealed that those who did strength train versus those who did not did not significantly differ in their levels of burnout, but among those who did strength training, there were significant differences in levels of burnout with how they engaged in strength training. The greater frequency of strength training participation and the greater number of muscle groups trained were related to lower levels of emotional exhaustion and lower levels of cynicism while the greater number of muscle groups trained were related to lower levels of emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, results showed that the longer the participant had been engaging in strength training, the lower their levels of professional inefficacy were. Results indicated that several strength training behaviors were positively associated with participants’ beliefs about the relationship between strength training and burnout. Specifically, greater training frequency, intensity, duration (length of involvement), and number of muscle groups trained were all significantly related to stronger beliefs that strength training was linked to reduced burnout. In contrast, the number of different strength training activities performed was not significantly associated with these beliefs. These results suggest that organizations should promote employees to participate in regular and diverse strength training routines in order to lower their levels of burnout and improve their employee well-being.

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