Health conditions among retired professional footballers: a scoping review

Carmody, Sean; Anemaat, Karlijn; Massey, Andrew; Kerkhoffs, Gino M. M. J.; Gouttebarge, Vincent

doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001196

Cited by 10 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…In the light of this study and previous research, the support and prevention work among elite soccer players should be developed to more effectively promote health in this group ( 16 , 25 ). Preparing soccer players for retirement is also important, as a number of protective factors may disappear outside the soccer context when the career is over ( 52 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health problems, health risk behaviors, and prevention: A qualitative interview study on perceptions and attitudes among elite male soccer players

Kvillemo

Nilsson

Strandberg

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of mental health problems and health risk behaviors among Swedish male elite soccer players and their attitudes toward possible prevention strategies.MethodTwenty elite soccer players, aged 15–30 years, were recruited through purposive sampling and interviewed via a digital video calling platform. A semi-structured interview guide, encompassing questions about mental health problems, health risk behaviors among soccer teams, peer-relations, relations to coaches, and attitudes toward health risk behaviors, along with proposals for effective interventions, was employed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe informants reported positive feelings in relation to playing soccer, good health, and few health risk behaviors. Risk factors included a large income, excessive free time, and the need for excitement. Stress and mental health problems were linked to performance pressure, social media, and injuries. Hesitation to talk openly about personal problems due to concerns about negative consequences and the “macho culture” was highlighted as barriers to admit and seek help for personal problems. Some statements indicated openness and the club's efforts to destigmatize personal problems. Positive attitudes toward prevention and suggestions for various measures were prominent.ConclusionFuture research and implementation of interventions should focus on the prevention of health risk behaviors and alleviation of stress and performance pressure, as well as continue the efforts to destigmatize mental health problems and raise awareness among coaches of the importance of their communication and behavior for players' mental health and performance. This could be achieved by developing strategic and systematic policy work, information, and dialogue among players and coaches, in addition to individual digital or face-to-face support, provided by professionals outside the soccer context.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health problems, health risk behaviors, and prevention: A qualitative interview study on perceptions and attitudes among elite male soccer players

Kvillemo

Nilsson

Strandberg

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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“…A recent scoping review highlighted that there are very few studies examining the presence of musculoskeletal conditions in retired female professional footballers. [ 28 ] Only two studies were identified which assessed the prevalence of knee OA in retired female professional footballers, prevalence ranging from 14% to 60%. [ 28 ] Further studies are required to understand the impact of clinical knee OA and radiological knee OA on PROMs in this population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 28 ] Only two studies were identified which assessed the prevalence of knee OA in retired female professional footballers, prevalence ranging from 14% to 60%. [ 28 ] Further studies are required to understand the impact of clinical knee OA and radiological knee OA on PROMs in this population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Osteoarthritic changes in the knees of recently retired male professional footballers: a pilot study

Carmody¹,

Aoki²,

Kiliç³

et al. 2022

SA J Sports Med

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Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common amongst retired male professional footballers. There is limited understanding with respect to the interplay between imaging findings, clinical presentation and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in retired professional footballers with knee OA. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the extent of radiological and clinical knee OA in a cohort of retired male professional footballers, and to explore the relationship between these findings and knee-related PROMs. Methods: Fifteen retired male professional footballers underwent knee radiographs and were surveyed on their history of clinical OA, severe knee injury and previous knee surgery. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health (PROMIS-GH) were used to assess health outcomes, such as level of function and pain. Results: Radiological knee OA was diagnosed in six out of 15 participants. Seven of the participants had a clinical diagnosis of knee OA. Evidence of clinical and radiological OA was present amongst four participants. Radiological knee OA and clinical OA was significantly associated with a history of severe knee injury and previous knee surgery. Low correlations (ρ<-0.40) were found between knee OA severity and knee-related PROMs. Moderate correlation (ρ=-0.65) was found between clinical knee OA and KOOS-SP. Conclusion: Clinical knee OA correlates with PROMs amongst retired professional footballers but radiological OA does not. Further studies are required to understand the relationship between imaging findings, clinical presentation and PROMs amongst retired professional footballers with knee OA.

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“… 12 13 14 The period of transitioning out of elite sports can be challenging, and retirement from elite sports has been linked with mental health problems and alcohol related disorders. 14 15 16 17 Moreover, a football related drinking culture affecting both players and fans has been highlighted as a potential public health concern. 1 2 3 4 Data on the epidemiology of alcohol related disorders among elite football players could inform the need for psychosocial support and prevention of such disorders among elite football players and the discussion regarding the association between football, alcohol, and public health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elite football players face many psychosocial stressors, including the constant pressure to perform at a high level, public attention and fame, and the risk of being injured, dropped from the team, and outcompeted by other players; such stressors, among others, have been suggested to increase the risk of alcohol related disorders 121314. The period of transitioning out of elite sports can be challenging, and retirement from elite sports has been linked with mental health problems and alcohol related disorders 14151617. Moreover, a football related drinking culture affecting both players and fans has been highlighted as a potential public health concern 1234.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol related disorders among elite male football players in Sweden: nationwide cohort study

Ueda

Pasternak

Svanström

et al. 2022

BMJ

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Objectives To assess whether male elite football players are at increased risk of alcohol related disorders compared with men from the general population, and whether such an increased risk would vary on the basis of calendar year of the first playing season in the top tier of competition, age, career length, and goal scoring abilities. Design Nationwide cohort study. Setting Sweden, 1924-2020. Participants 6007 male football players who had played in the Swedish top division, Allsvenskan, from 1924 to 2019 and 56 168 men from the general population matched to players based on age and region of residence. Main outcome measures Primary outcome was alcohol related disorders (diagnoses recorded in death certificates, during hospital admissions and outpatient visits, or use of prescription drugs for alcohol addiction); secondary outcome was disorders related to misuse of other drugs. Results During follow-up up to 31 December 2020, 257 (4.3%) football players and 3528 (6.3%) men from the general population received diagnoses of alcohol related disorders. In analyses accounting for age, region of residence, and calendar time, risk of alcohol related disorders was lower among football players than among men from the general population (hazard ratio 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.81). A reduced risk of alcohol related disorders was observed for football players who played their first season in the top tier in the early 1960s and later, while no significant difference versus men from the general population was seen in the risk for football players from earlier eras. The hazard ratio was lowest at around age 35 years, and then increased with age; at around age 75 years, football players had a higher risk of alcohol related disorders than men from the general population. No significant association was seen between goal scoring, number of games, and seasons played in the top tier and the risk of alcohol related disorders. Risk of disorders related to other drug misuse was significantly lower among football players than the general population (hazard ratio 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.34). Conclusions In this nationwide cohort study, male football players who had played in the Swedish top tier of competition had a significantly lower risk of alcohol related disorders than men from the general population.

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Health conditions among retired professional footballers: a scoping review

Cited by 10 publications

References 66 publications

Mental health problems, health risk behaviors, and prevention: A qualitative interview study on perceptions and attitudes among elite male soccer players

Mental health problems, health risk behaviors, and prevention: A qualitative interview study on perceptions and attitudes among elite male soccer players

Osteoarthritic changes in the knees of recently retired male professional footballers: a pilot study

Alcohol related disorders among elite male football players in Sweden: nationwide cohort study

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