Transitioning to life after sport: empowering former college varsity athletes to live more healthfully.

Introduction

The transition out of competitive sport comes with a range of psychosocial challenges for athletes, particularly when retirement is involuntary (e.g., due to injury). Little is known about the health of former athletes who often manage prior injuries and changing biopsychosocial factors.

Purpose

Identify the unique experiences of varsity athletes during college and as they transition to life after college sports and determine the facilitators, barriers, and needs of college varsity athletes to engage in a physically active and healthy lifestyle after competitive sport retirement.

Methods

Thirty former college varsity athletes (15F, 15M; mean age 23 ± 1 yrs; BMI: 26 ± 4 kg/m2) who finished competing approximately 2 weeks to 2 years prior participated in semi-structured, qualitative interviews asking open-ended questions describing their experiences as college athletes and their transition to life after college sports. Interview topics centered on physical and psychological health, physical activity and exercise, diet, the overall transition experience including ways in which athletes felt well equipped or poorly equipped for life after sport, and what could have facilitated their transition to life after collegiate athletics. Researchers conducted coding and thematic analysis using an iterative and collaborative approach until no new themes were constructed.

Findings

Most athletes participated in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (87%) or III (10%) sports. Athletes represented a variety of sports with Volleyball (N = 7), Soccer (N = 6), and Track & Field (N = 6) more common than others. Three main themes were constructed: (1) College athlete uniqueness; (2) Transitioning to life after college sport; and 3) Empowering former athletes to live more healthfully. Despite many unique and beneficial experiences of college athletes, the highly scheduled lives of college athletes led to a post-retirement loss of structure and support, negatively impacting those without a clear post-college sports plan and social network. Former athletes described pain and soreness that often lessened or resolved after a few months of no longer competing in sports. Athletes expressed how they could have been empowered to live more healthfully in the transition away from college athletics including guidance on nutrition, managing prior injuries, and exercising for general health rather than sports performance.

Discussion

Competitive athletes have unique experiences that both equip and challenge them as they transition away from structured sport environments and the associated support systems. Former athletes identified several key factors that may facilitate a healthier transition, including guidance on exercising for general health, managing pain and prior injuries, nutrition, and social support. Understanding the needs of athletes transitioning out of competitive sport will better equip healthcare providers to counsel, educate, and treat athletes for optimal long-term health.