Construction of the personal and professional identity of high-level athletes

Abstract

Withdrawal from sport is one of the most complex stages in the life trajectories of high-level athletes and requires appropriate preparation and planning. Defining a professional and life project can help athletes cope with this process before, during, and after withdrawing from sport. In this regard, the main aim of this study was to analyze the influence of different factors associated with the professional and personal development of high-level Spanish athletes. Data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview organized into five basic dimensions: (I) sports competition; (II) exploratory phase and self-knowledge; (III) exploratory phase and knowledge of the environment; (IV) defining career goals; and (V) vocational and professional decisions. The sample comprised a total of 16 high-level athletes accredited by the Higher Sports Council of Spain. The results show that the athletes were aware of the importance of academic training and designing a personal life project for their future professional development.