Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2020 Oct;19(10):430-437.
doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000761.

The Psychological Burden of Retirement from Sport

Carrie Esopenko  1 , Josephine R Coury  2 , Elizabeth M Pieroth  3 , James M Noble  4 , David P Trofa  2 , Thomas S Bottiglieri  2
Affiliations
Review

The Psychological Burden of Retirement from Sport

Carrie Esopenko et al. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Participation in sport is associated with numerous physical and psychological health benefits, but also can have negative consequences, such as career ending injuries, which may have long-term effects on mental health. Recent research suggests that involuntary retirement, due to injury, illness, or being cut from a sport, can be particularly detrimental. As such, this review focuses on the impact athletic retirement has on the psychological well-being of collegiate athletes. We provide an algorithm to inform clinical decision making regarding involuntary retirement, as well as recommendations for the development of support programs and educational resources for athletes struggling with career transition. Our aim is that in developing retirement algorithms, support programs, and educational resources for athletes who are retired from sport, we can intervene early thus reducing the potential long-term psychological burden they may experience.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Irick E. NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report. National Collegiate Athletic Association [Internet]. 2018; [cited 2020 August 11]. Available from: https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/research/sportpart/Oct2018RES_2017-18Sp....
    1. Chang C, Putukian M, Aerni G, et al. Mental health issues and psychological factors in athletes: detection, management, effect on performance and prevention: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement—Executive Summary. Br. J. Sports Med. 2020; 54:216–20.
    1. NCAA. Estimated probability of competing in professional athletics. National Collegiate Athletic Association [Internet]. 2019; [cited 2020 August 11]. Available from: http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/research/estimated-probability-compe....
    1. Gallup-Purdue Index Report. Understanding Life Outcomes of Former NCAA Student-Athletes. 2016; [cited 2020 August 11]. Available from: https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2016_Gallup_NCAA_StudentAthlete....
    1. Stark R. When the Playing Days End. Champion Magazine [Internet]. 2018; [cited 2020 August 11]. Available from: http://www.ncaa.org/static/champion/when-the-playing-days-end/.