The past few weeks have seen a flurry of athlete retirement news, from Super Bowl hero Nick Foles hanging up his jersey to two-time women’s soccer World Cup champion Alex Morgan retiring from the game. For athletes, who have spent much of their lives preparing for this one moment, it can be a difficult transition. They must find ways to shift their identities away from their sport and build new foundations for themselves.
Athletes may also struggle to maintain a healthy level of fitness after retiring from their sport, especially if it’s been the main focus of their life for years. A recent study by Dr Cavallerio of Anglia Ruskin University interviewed female gymnasts after they retired and found that these retirees struggled to find meaning in their post-sport careers and that sports organisations need to do more to support the non-sport lives of athletes after their careers are over.
It’s important to note that the retirement process is typically a gradual one and doesn’t usually occur in a sudden manner. Athletes can start to transition into retirement by competing less frequently, training less intensely and giving themselves days off in between. Staying connected to their sporting community and peers is also a good idea, as it can help them maintain a sense of purpose in their retired lives.