The effect of athletic and non-athletic factors on the sports career termination process

Changes in Athletic Identity and Life Satisfaction of Elite Athletes as a Function of Retirement Status

“…To the extent that they see themselves as having a career in sport, retiring athletes can be expected to go through the normal career transition processes whereby the individual engages in gradual alterations of behaviours and goals over time (Cecic Erpic et al, 2004).…”

“…The final two identified phases are the transition from the peak of the athletes' sports career to the final stage, followed by the transition to retirement (Stambulova, 1994). Interest in this final transition phase has grown rapidly over the past 20 years, with much of the research focussing on the psychosocial impact of retirement on the athlete (Cecic Erpic et al, 2004;Ogilvie & Taylor, 1993;Shachar, Brewer, Cornelius, & Petitpas, 2004).…”

“…It seems that the quality of an athlete's adjustment to post sport life is facilitated if athletic identity decreases (Cecic Erpic et al, 2004;Webb et al, 1998). To explore this notion further, Lally (2007) tracked the changes in identity that took place for six Canadian student-athletes at three time points from preretirement through to one-year postretirement.…”

“…The degree of voluntariness of sports career termination has also been highlighted as affecting adjustment to life after sport with voluntary career termination associated with fewer adaptation difficulties (Cecic Erpic, Wylleman, & Zupancic, 2004;Taylor & Ogilvie, 1994).…”

Happiness in active and retired athletes

“…This process also depends on whether the career was terminated voluntarily, on the subjective assessment of the athlete›s own performance is sports, and even on his or her level of education (CecićErpič, Wylleman & Zupančič, 2004). Education proves to be very important for the athlete, because it allows for faster adaptation and a smooth transition from one type of career to another (e.g.…”