Signals Are Not Symptoms: Can Wearable Analytics Validly Detect Burnout in University Student-Athletes? A Critical Review of Construct Validity, Longitudinal Evidence, and Data Governance

Justyna Stanek; Aleksandra Perłowska; Magdalena Sukar; Katarzyna Marszałek; Justyna Półchłopek; Karolina Weremczuk; Klaudia Wojciechowska; Natalia Radłowska; Katharina-Sophia Styś; Tomasz Osenkowski

doi:10.12775/QS.2026.78.76448

Authors

Justyna Stanek University of Rzeszow https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7256-1695
Aleksandra Perłowska University of Rzeszów https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9479-7665
Magdalena Sukar University of Rzeszów https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0904-6810
Katarzyna Marszałek University of Rzeszów https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1313-3739
Justyna Półchłopek University of Rzeszów https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4827-8193
Karolina Weremczuk University of Rzeszów https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4292-1285
Klaudia Wojciechowska University of Rzeszów https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7978-3033
Natalia Radłowska University of Rzeszow https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3919-7696
Katharina-Sophia Styś University of Rzeszow https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7757-2034
Tomasz Osenkowski University of Rzeszow https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3923-0034

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.78.76448

Keywords

athlete burnout, student-athletes, wearable technology, heart-rate variability, digital monitoring, construct validity, privacy

Abstract

Background: Wearables estimate physiological and behavioral signals, but burnout is a chronic, multidimensional psychological construct.

Aim: This review assesses whether wearable analytics can detect burnout in university student-athletes.

Approach: A critical narrative synthesis examines athlete-burnout research, psychophysiology, student wearable sensing, and data governance; it is not a systematic review or meta-analysis.

Synthesis: Direct evidence is sparse. Burnout studies mainly rely on self-report, while wearable-AI studies mostly target acute stress, fatigue, sleep, or affect in other populations. Physiological markers remain exploratory, with no accepted diagnostic thresholds. Collegiate studies also raise concerns about data sharing and athlete control.

Conclusion: Wearables may inform voluntary recovery conversations but should not diagnose burnout or determine selection, eligibility, or care. Multisite, season-long validation using repeated burnout measures and athlete-governed data practices is needed.

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Signals Are Not Symptoms: Can Wearable Analytics Validly Detect Burnout in University Student-Athletes?

A Critical Review of Construct Validity, Longitudinal Evidence, and Data Governance

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