Athletic Career Termination Model in the Czech Republic

This study was designed to explore the process of sport career termination in the Czech Republic, and was based on the theoretical-conceptual background of sport career transition models (Stambulova, 1997, 2003; Taylor and Ogilvie, 1994, 2001). Participants were six male and five female former elite athletes, averaging 14.6 years of athletic career experience. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Eleven general dimensions emerged from the hierarchical content analysis. Manifold reasons for sport career termination and various planning strategies to retire from sport activities were identified. Several factors contributing to the positive adaptation to athletic retirement as well as factors constraining the transitional process are described. Significant others and coping strategies played important roles during the transition process. Athletes experienced significant changes in their lives after retirement in social, psychosocial, health and economic spheres of their lives.