RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 4A.003 Post-career transition experiences of professional American football players retiring from brain-health concerns
JF Injury Prevention
JO Inj Prev
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP A32
OP A33
DO 10.1136/injuryprev-2021-safety.99
VO 27
IS Suppl 2
A1 Kerr, Zachary
A1 Walton, Samuel
A1 Brett, Benjamin
A1 DeFreese, JD
A1 Weight, Erianne
A1 Chandran, Avinash
A1 Echemendia, Ruben
A1 McCrea, Michael
A1 Meehan, William
A1 Guskiewicz, Kevin
YR 2021
UL http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/27/Suppl_2/A32.3.abstract
AB Background The long-term effects of concussions have led to concerns regarding former professional American football players’ post-career transitions. This cross-sectional study examines post-career transition experiences of former players retiring due to brain-health concerns.Methods Former players (n=1,784), recruited via National Football League (NFL) and Players’ Association contact lists, completed an online/paper questionnaire. Variables included: demographics, playing history, retirement reasons (pre-specified options), and factors helping/hindering post-career transitions (open-ended). We calculated descriptives for study variables from players reporting retirement due to brain-health concerns. Using template analysis, we coded open-ended responses to identify factors helping/hindering post-career transitions.Results Overall, 211 (11.8%) former players retired due to brain-health concerns (mean age=50.9±18.1, mean years played professionally=6.9±3.3). Alongside brain-health, other retirement reasons included: concerns about long-term physical health (n=155), mental health (n=121), and chronic pain (n=120). Factors helping post-career transitions were problem-focused (e.g., future planning, advice from older players, saving money) and emotionally-focused (e.g., faith/religion, spousal support, health provider/therapist care). Hindering factors were personal (e.g., ongoing musculoskeletal injury/pain issues, mental health concerns, poor health insurance, lacking transition plans, losing former schedule/routine), interpersonal (e.g. lacking support/empathy, being asked why they need to still work), and organizational (e.g., poor post-career transition support). These themes were also present among former players not reporting retirement due to brain-health concerns.Conclusion Numerous post-career transition issues concern former players. Multidimensional interventions that mitigate cognitive challenges, chronic pain, and occupational stressors may help optimize post-career transition coping strategies.Learning Outcomes Describe the post-career transition experiences of former players retiring from brain-health concerns.