Organizational Climate, Physical Activity, and Attitudes Toward Sport Influence Burnout in School Administrators

The Link Between Organizational Climate and Physical Activity in Shaping Attitudes Toward Sport and Reducing

School administrators in the education system operate under constant pressure generated by heavy workloads, increasing managerial responsibilities, and high organizational expectations. These working conditions may fuel elevated levels of professional burnout. The present study analyzed the interaction between perception of organizational climate, physical activity level, attitude toward sport, and burnout in the school setting, highlighting implications for public health.

The study sample included 223 school administrators from various types of educational institutions. Data collection involved applying several standardized instruments: the Organizational Climate Scale, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Attitudes Toward Sport Scale, and the Professional Burnout Scale. Statistical relationships between variables were explored through structural equation modeling (SEM). Physical activity was quantified using a continuous MET-minutes per week score, derived from the sum of walking, moderate-intensity, and vigorous-intensity activities.

Results showed positive and statistically significant links both between organizational climate and attitude toward sport, and between physical activity and the same attitudes. At the same time, organizational climate, physical activity, and attitude toward sport each demonstrated a significant negative association with professional burnout. In the structural model, organizational climate and physical activity explained 34% of the variability in attitudes toward sport, while together they explained 32% of the variability in burnout. Bootstrap analysis further revealed negative indirect pathways linking both variables to burnout through attitudes: for organizational climate, the indirect coefficient was β = −0.130 (bias-corrected 95% CI: [−0.236, −0.081]); for physical activity, β = −0.171 (95% CI: [−0.301, −0.113]).

A more favorable organizational climate, higher levels of movement, and a more positive attitude toward sport are collectively associated with lower burnout among school administrators. From a public health perspective, these findings identify organizational and individual factors worthy of deeper study in relation to psychological well-being at work. However, the data do not prove that modifying these factors prevents or reduces burnout; the effectiveness of any intervention targeting these factors should be evaluated in future longitudinal or experimental research.

Lack of physical activity remains a major and growing global concern

Lack of physical activity remains a major and growing global concern. Aggregated population evidence indicates that age-standardized prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults rose from 23.4% in 2000 to 31.3% in 2022. Prolonged sedentary behavior and sitting are also linked to unfavorable health outcomes. Studies on students and office workers show that daily activity patterns are influenced by workplace routines and other lifestyle or environmental factors.

A critical aspect of contemporary professional life is burnout. Freudenberger (1974) described employee burnout as a state of exhaustion due to excessive job demands, while Maslach and Jackson (1981) conceptualized burnout through emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Burnout is also associated with depression and anxiety across diverse occupational samples.

Regular physical activity is relevant for both physical and mental health. It is linked to cardiometabolic and cardiovascular benefits. A review of systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials found that movement-based interventions are associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological discomfort in adults. Other research has correlated physical activity with self-esteem, cognitive function, and overall well-being. These findings support the public health relevance of physical activity, without implying that this cross-sectional study demonstrates intervention effects.

Attitudes toward sport have been described as correlates of physical activity participation. Organizational climate and burnout have also been associated across various occupational samples, while workplace conditions and interventions may shape opportunities and support for employee physical activity. However, studies integrating organizational climate, physical activity, attitude toward sport, and burnout in a single model for school administrators remain limited. This leaves a theoretical and empirical gap at the intersection of occupational health and educational administration.

School administrators face specific professional demands, and burnout has been studied specifically in this population. A recent systematic review of 99 empirical studies on school principal burnout found that the literature has predominantly focused on antecedents and correlates, while stronger causal designs remain limited.