The Complexity of Becoming an Ex-Athlete: How Making Comparisons Affects the Likelihood and Quality of Ex-Athlete's Workouts
The Complexity of Becoming an Ex-Athlete: How Making Comparisons Affects the Likelihood and Quality of Ex-Athlete's Workouts
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Issue Date
2006
Authors
Guterman, Sara
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Abstract
This research aimed to explore what happens when athletes become ex-athletes and how this event influenced their later beliefs and actions towards working out. With the high obesity rate in this country and the benefits of working out clearly established, the researcher interviewed self-described athletes, ex-athletes, and non-athletes hoping to shed light on how people begin active, yet become sedentary. Grounded theory was used to analyze data, which allowed for experiences to be heard, concepts to emerge, and a circular process of analyzing. Results include: athletes get messages that training is specifically for sport rather than for long-term health; leaving sport has negative consequences; reflection is beneficial; comparisons with past experiences affect quality and likelihood of workouts. The research confirmed that leaving sport is a difficult process and also suggests that there is an imperative link between training and long-term health and life-long habits that is missing from sports programs.