„Ich würde jederzeit den Handballplatz einem Bürojob vorziehen“,sagt Lukas mertens.Doch der 28-jährige Linksaußen macht kein Geheimnis daraus, wie anstrengend das vergangene Jahr für ihn war: „drei große Turniere in 365 Tagen – das hinterlässt Spuren.“ Nach der europameisterschaft im Januar 2024 folgten die olympischen Spiele im Sommer und nun die Weltmeisterschaft. Die Olympiaqualifikation im März erwähnt er fast beiläufig.Die regelmäßigen Einsätze mit dem SC Magdeburg wirken dagegen fast wie Routine.
Seit zwei Jahren ist Mertens die deutsche Topkraft auf seiner Position. Über Themen wie mentale Erschöpfung oder burnout möchte er nicht im Detail sprechen, doch seine Aussage zum Leben im Hochleistungssport ist eindringlich: „Nach Paris bin ich nicht wirklich zur Ruhe gekommen.Eine Woche Urlaub war drin, aber entspannen konnte ich nicht.Das wird erst nach meiner Karriere möglich sein. Dann werde ich meine Erfolge wirklich wertschätzen können.“
„Olympiajahre sind eine extreme Herausforderung“
Mertens betont,dass er sich sowohl körperlich als auch mental gut fühlt. Dies verdankt er der Unterstützung seiner Familie, Freunde, eines Sportpsychologen und seines Trainers Bennet Wiegert beim SC Magdeburg: „Ohne diese Stützen und das Bewusstsein dafür, wann es zu viel wird, wären solche Jahre nicht zu bewältigen.“
Der Handballprofi beschwert sich nicht.Er wünscht sich, dass der Sport jeden Winter im Rampenlicht steht. Er profitiert von der aktuellen Popularität des Handballs, zahlt aber auch seinen Preis dafür. Bislang ist er glücklicherweise von schweren Verletzungen verschont geblieben.
Others don’t. As was to be expected, there was a bang on the field after the Olympic Games. Mertens’ position colleague Rune Dahmke, 31, agrees: “Thes Olympic years are brutal. You play through a year and a half as you miss the summer. It’s terrible to see how much has happened – some very serious injuries that will cost the players a year of their careers. It’s an indication that the burden is too great.”
A dozen national players from the Bundesliga are missing from this World Cup. These include stars of the scene such as Swedes Felix Claar, Max Darj and Oscar Bergendahl. The Frenchmen Dika Mem and Elohim Prandi recovered from their injuries in time. The fact that members of their teams such as Iceland’s Omar Ingi Magnusson and Manuel Zehnder from Switzerland are also missing without Olympic stress is an indication of the high level of stress in general.
“Competitive sports are not health sports”
Expected failures? Philip Lübke, senior team doctor at the German Handball Federation (DHB), objects to the simple calculation, lots of games, lots of injuries: “I wouldn’t sign that. Competitive sports are not health sports. It is a high burden for the athletes. but they are trained for it. There is certainly a lot of mental strain because periods of rest are scarce. But we and the players are now doing it so professionally that not only physical but also mental recovery is possible. Regeneration is an essential part of training. This way we minimize the risk.”
every year the professional association (VBG) publishes the sports report. It highlights which injuries occur and how frequently. Lübke knows the report related to handball. Does he view handball as a brutal sport? “In the 20 years that I have been involved, I have seen handball as a hard but not brutal sport. In the majority of cases,a cruciate ligament injury is a non-contact injury.That is, it is not a brutal action by an opponent. Injuries caused by contact with opponents are the exception.”
Something else is vital to the experienced sports doctor: “The focus is on restoring the ability to play. But only if it is medically justifiable.We don’t want the player to play ‘it’s straight forward’. we want him to be brought back into play responsibly.”
care, nutrition, sleep, travel, everything is becoming more professional, Lübke lists, on the part of the associations and the players: “Injuring yourself is a calculable occupational risk.But the players have recognized that their body is their capital.You have become more self-aware. We want to support them in this self-care.”
Others don’t. As expected, there was a bang on the field after the Olympic Games. Mertens’ position colleague Rune Dahmke, 31, agrees: “These Olympic years are brutal. You play through a year and a half as you miss the summer. It’s terrible to see how much has happened - some very serious injuries that will cost the players a year of their careers. It’s an indication that the burden is too great.”
A dozen national players from the Bundesliga are missing from this World Cup.These include stars of the scene such as Swedes Felix Claar, max Darj and Oscar Bergendahl.The Frenchmen Dika Mem and Elohim Prandi recovered from their injuries in time. The fact that members of their teams such as Iceland’s Omar Ingi Magnusson and manuel Zehnder from Switzerland are also missing without Olympic stress is an indication of the high level of stress in general.
“Competitive sports are not health sports”
Expected failures? Philip Lübke, senior team doctor at the German Handball Federation (DHB), objects to the simple calculation, lots of games, lots of injuries: “I wouldn’t sign that. Competitive sports are not health sports. It is a high burden for the athletes.But they are trained for it. There is certainly a lot of mental strain because periods of rest are scarce. But we and the players are now doing it so professionally that not only physical but also mental recovery is possible. Regeneration is an essential part of training.This way we minimize the risk.”
Every year the professional association (VBG) publishes the sports report.It highlights which injuries occur and how frequently. Lübke knows the report related to handball. Does he view handball as a brutal sport? “In the 20 years that I have been involved,I have seen handball as a hard but not brutal sport. in the majority of cases, a cruciate ligament injury is a non-contact injury. That is, it is not a brutal action by an opponent. Injuries caused by contact with opponents are the exception.”
Something else is critically important to the experienced sports doctor: “The focus is on restoring the ability to play. But only if it is medically justifiable. We don’t want the player to play ‘it’s straight forward’. We wantn>
Ingo Meckes, the DHB’s sports director, emphasizes the importance of enhanced self-care and support systems. At this World Cup, a team of twelve professionals is dedicated to managing the well-being of 17 athletes. Simon Overkamp, the athletic trainer, meticulously monitors each training session to ensure optimal workload management. Prior to the tournament,discussions were held with clubs to assess the players’ physical condition upon arrival in Hamburg. Meckes notes, “We’re navigating a delicate balance.The issue of player workload is a significant concern within the associations, creating a high-pressure environment.” he highlights a potential easing factor—the absence of European Championship qualification for Olympic participants—as a step in the right direction.
Handling setbacks with composure is crucial. Timo Kastening and Nils Lichtlein addressed the absence of Sebastian Heymann and Jannik Kohlbacher with restraint. Both Kastening and Lichtlein faced extended periods of inactivity due to injuries, a common challenge in handball. Lübke explains, “They view this as an opportunity to step up—it’s not about indifference or schadenfreude but rather acceptance and adaptation.” dahmke adds, “I empathize with anyone who feels consumed by injury concerns. It’s mentally draining, and everyone strives to move past it.”
Another critical aspect is managing personal stress and adversity. How can athletes perform without relying on painkillers? Dahmke clarifies, “While painkillers are occasionally used, I firmly beleive that most players can succeed without them. The majority are capable of enduring tournaments without such aids.”
For the 31-year-old Kiel native, it’s essential to avoid portraying himself as an overburdened athlete on the brink of collapse. “The excitement of the tournament overshadows any stress.Most of our team is in peak condition, and I don’t want to suggest we’re barely holding on,” he states. However, his perspective might shift once the Bundesliga resumes in February after a brief hiatus.
