Findings from a study of the mental, physical and financialwellbeing of retired professional sportsmen

Description

The study, conducted by Angus Porter (PCA) and David Barnes (RPA) in 2013, surveyed over 1,000 retired professional sportsmen to assess their mental, physical, and financial wellbeing after retirement. The respondents ranged from 22 to 95 years old and included a diverse set of sports. Key findings indicate that 79% of ex-players are satisfied with their lives, and 90% remain active in jobs earning £30-40k annually, countering negative perceptions of athletes’ post-career adjustments. However, 32% felt a lack of control two years post-retirement, and 24% reported ongoing mental or physical difficulties. The study identified five main factors that affect successful adaptation to life after sport: satisfaction with the playing career, preparation for the future, retiring on one's own terms, quality of transition, and regaining life control. The paper also emphasizes the importance of support systems, planning, and recognizing the skills gained through sports to smooth the transition to new careers.