ABSTRACT
Unfortunately, not all athletes recover from their injuries, and some don’t return to sport. Others do but are unable to recapture their former performance levels and thus their careers slowly end. News reports often include stories of famous athletes whose careers have been ended by injury, and thousands of amateurs leave sport every year because of injury or concerns about sustaining one that will impact their non-sport lives. Deciding (or being forced) to leave sport is difficult for everyone, but those at the elite end of the spectrum often find it most challenging and retirement can have long-term negative impacts on their health and mental wellbeing. This chapter discusses the psychological outcomes of retiring due to injury, with emphasis on understanding factors such as identity loss, coping, and potential knock-on effects for mental health. Special attention is paid to depression and substance (ab)use, and comparing and contrasting athletes who manage the retirement transition well and those who don’t. Research evidence is supplemented with anecdotal accounts to capture the athlete’s lived experience from multiple perspectives.
