Beyond the medals: a cross-sectional study exploring retired elite female athletes’ health

Abstract

ObjectivesLittle is known about the impact of elite sport participation on long-term athlete health. We aimed to: (1) describe musculoskeletal, mental health, reproductive/endocrine and cardiovascular characteristics in retired elite female athletes and compare to the general population and (2) explore athletes’ perceptions of their elite sport participation and its impact on health.MethodsA 136-item online questionnaire was disseminated to Canadian elite female rowing and rugby athletes >18 years old,>2 years retired from elite competition. Matched general population data were obtained from Statistics Canada when available.ResultsSeventy-four (24% response rate) athletes (average age 45 (±9) years; retired 15 (±9) years) completed the questionnaire (30 rowing, 44 rugby athletes). During their career, 63 athletes (85%) experienced a hip/groin, knee, foot/ankle injury, or low back pain, with 42 (67%) reporting ongoing symptoms. Athletes 35–54 years reported worse knee symptoms and quality of life compared with the general population (symptom: p=0.197; d=1.15 [0.66, 1.63]; quality of life: p=0.312 d=1.03 [0.54, 1.51]) while other hip, knee and foot/ankle outcome scores were similar. Retired athletes had lower odds of anxiety (OR=0.155 [95% CI0.062 to 0.384]), greater lifetime/ever odds of amenorrhea (OR=6.10 [95%CI 2.67 to 13.96]) and gave birth when older (p<0.05). Fifty-nine (79%) recalled witnessing or experiencing at least one form of harassment/abuse during their career. Sixty athletes (81%) rated their current health as above average or excellent and 61 (82%) would compete at the same level again if given the choice.ConclusionThese novel insights can inform future preventative efforts to promote positive elite sport-related outcomes for current, former and future female athletes.

Adaptation to life after sport for retired athletes: A scoping review of existing reviews and programs

“…Unique experiences of athletes. Based on our analyses of the gray literature, 10 features emerged as unique aspects of the athlete experience: (1) living in a highly structured environment (e.g., following daily training routines); (2) living in a high pressure and stimulating environment (e.g., elevated attention and judgement); (3) athletics is experienced as a way of life (e.g., extraordinary time commitment); (4) high identity association with being an athlete (e.g., identity anchored to athletic achievements); (5) young career termination (e.g., feeling like a major part of your life has ended in your mid-20s or -30s); (6) high focus on body function and image (e.g., large focus on keeping body in peak performance); (7) experiencing injury and/or significant bodily changes (e.g., injury can be commonly associated with career derailment); (8) large personal sacrifices during their career (e.g., having to deprioritize time with family, friends, and romantic partners); (9) unique financial situations (e.g., making most of life earnings at a young age); and (10) gaining distinctive skillsets that can be transferable to other life circumstances (e.g., high-level teamwork, loyalty, punctuality).…”

“…It is thus understandable that when an athlete’s competitive sporting life concludes, not only do they lose their sport, but athletes also substantially alter and may lose a core aspect of their personal identity [ 43 , 44 ]. The literature also points to a clear need for athletic organizations to recognize this challenge to athletes’ personal identity and to provide supports to ameliorate athletes’ retirement transitions [ 10 , 45 ].…”

“…Despite the many positive impacts of sport participation, retirement from sport can be a challenging transition with physical, social, emotional, and economic implications [6]. Specifically, retirement can be a difficult transition for athletes by prompting a recalibration of their identities away from athletic focus [7][8][9][10].…”

Evaluation of a medical after-care intervention among deselected elite male Academy football players: a pilot study

“…There have been highly publicised incidences of non-recent abuse in football academies in the UK 18. A more recent study has highlighted as many as 79% of athletes recall witnessing or experiencing at least one form of harassment/abuse during their sporting career 19. This pilot study did not assess whether participants had experienced or witnessed harassment/abuse during their time in the Academy, nor did it provide participants with information about how to report or seek help related to harassment/abuse.…”

“… 18 A more recent study has highlighted as many as 79% of athletes recall witnessing or experiencing at least one form of harassment/abuse during their sporting career. 19 This pilot study did not assess whether participants had experienced or witnessed harassment/abuse during their time in the Academy, nor did it provide participants with information about how to report or seek help related to harassment/abuse. Future iterations should signpost players to resources where they can report or seek help for safeguarding concerns (eg, harassment/abuse).…”