Which of the following is a primary sign of burnout in athletes?

Emotional exhaustion is a primary sign of burnout in athletes because it reflects a state of overwhelming fatigue and depletion of emotional resources as a result of prolonged stress and intense training. When athletes experience emotional exhaustion, they may feel drained, less capable of coping with the demands of their sport, and may lose interest in activities that they previously enjoyed.

This condition is often accompanied by a decreased sense of accomplishment and a negative self-evaluation concerning their athletic performance. It represents a significant shift from the emotional and physical engagement that athletes typically possess when they are at their peak, highlighting the detrimental effects that burnout can have on both mental health and athletic performance.

In contrast, options like increased enthusiasm, gained motivation, and enhanced performance are generally associated with positive states or improvements in an athlete's experience and do not align with the indicators of burnout.