Active Elite Athletes Research Articles

Making it work—fitting parenthood into an elite sport career

The purpose of this study is to analyze and problematize the possibilities and challenges of combining an elite sport career with parenthood among elite athletes in Sweden. Specific focus will be on time management, financial conditions, and support. Ten active or formerly active elite athletes who had combined or tried to combine elite sports with parenthood were interviewed. The athletes represent a range of different sports and played in teams or as individual competitors. Some were full-time athletes, while others had additional employment. Work–family conflict was present for the athletes, with the results showing that combining elite sports with parenthood can work, but only if the athlete has adequate resources. The most important resource is social support from the athlete’s family. The sport organizations appear somewhat invisible as a supportive structure; therefore, the athletes have contributed with ideas of what these organizations can do to increase their support.

Morphological and functional features of circulatory system in retired and active elite athletes

Regular physical activity over a long period of time increases the output of the cardiovascular system. That leads to development of a normal (physiological) athlete's heart. Bradycardia, cardiac hypertrophy, and arterial hypotension are three major characteristics of a normal athlete's heart. Changes in parameters of cardiovascular system and features of heart remodeling are determined by type, frequency, and duration of a physical activity. Excessive levels of physical activity could result in development of a pathologic athlete's heart, negatively affect hearts metabolism, and increase the risk of both atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Autopsy studies have shown that atherosclerosis, which leads to development of an ischemic heart disease, is often found in both young and elderly athletes. 56% of sudden deaths in all athletes were due to cardiovascular problems. Reports of ischemic heart disease in athletes of all ages have increased over the past few years. Echocardiographic features and clinical outcomes of stable angina and myocardial infarction in retired professional athletes are not well studied. Further studies are needed to improve diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation in elite athletes with ischemic heart disease.

Psychological Predictors of Career Planning among Active Elite Athletes: An Application of the Social Cognitive Career Theory

The present study examines mechanisms underlying career planning among athletes in the context of sport career termination. The contribution of conscientiousness to athletes' career planning was investigated among 180 active athletes (88 females, 92 males; Mage = 20.36) by applying the social cognitive career theory (SCCT). Bootstrap analyses, performed at both broad and facet-level, revealed that conscientious individuals are more likely to plan for their future career because they set higher goals and are more confident in their capacity to plan their future career. Implications for practice are discussed in relation to intervention that could induce career planning among athletes.

Distinctive bronchial inflammation status in athletes: basophils, a new player

The aim of the study was to establish bronchial inflammation status and to measure eicosanoids in sputum obtained from active elite athletes. A total of 68 subjects were enrolled. Twelve were non-athletes and non-asthmatic (NAtNAs), 21 non-athlete asthmatics (NAtAs), 11 athlete non-asthmatics (AtNAs), and 24 athletes with asthma (AtAs) with positive indirect or direct bronchial challenges. Induced sputum was used to measure cells and eicosanoids. Sputum differential cell counts in all the subject groups revealed eosinophilia with the exception of NAtNAs control subjects. Athletes with and without diagnosed asthma showed a significant increase in bronchial epithelial cells and lymphocytes present in their sputum. Also, flow cytometry revealed that a significantly higher number of basophils were present in sputum from athletes (without and with asthma) when compared with non-athletes (without and with asthma). Asthmatic athletes and non-athletes showed a higher increase in LTC(4) levels and PGE(2) metabolites in sputum when compared with healthy controls. The present study identifies basophils as a new player present in athletes bronchial inflammation defining athlete status and not necessarily associated with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

Bodily transition out of elite sport: A one‐year study of physical self and global self‐esteem among transitional athletes

Sports career termination implies a transition during which ex‐elite athletes face social, professional, and bodily changes and adjustments. This study evaluated the repercussions of the bodily transition and adjustment process on physical self and global self‐esteem. Athletes (n =16) in transition following the Sydney Olympic Games were compared with active elite athletes (n =16) four times during the first post‐career termination year using the Physical Self Inventory (Ninot, Delignieres, & Fortes, 2000). The results revealed that perceived physical condition, physical self‐worth, and global self‐esteem decreased during the first six months of transition out of elite sport. This stage of crisis was followed by a period of increase in these dimensions, as well as in perceived sports competence and physical strength, illustrating an adjustment to new bodily references. Transitional athletes presented lower global self‐esteem, physical self‐worth, perceived physical condition, sports competence, and physical attractiveness than active elite athletes, because of decreased training and social recognition of the “performing body.”