Psychology of athletes’ dual careers : A state-of the art critical review of the European discourse

Athletes have the right to combine their sport and higher education careers (e.g., dual career), but differences in the recognition of the student-athlete's status and availability of dual career programmes and services exist worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dual career phenomenon through the international student-athletes' views. Student-athletes competing at the 2017 Summer Universiade were recruited to respond a 31-item online survey encompassing demographic characteristics (Q1-8), sport and university engagement (Q9-13), student-athletes' knowledge and possible sources of information regarding dual career (Q14-22); and dual career support at personal, sport, and academic levels (Q23-31). Four hundred twenty-six respondents (males: 46%, females 54%), competing in 22 different sports (individual: 74%, team: 26%) from Africa (4%), America (20%), Asia (34%), Europe (39%), and Oceania (3), had experienced previous international sports events (94%). Differences among continents emerged for sport (p<0.001) and university (p = 0.039) engagement, and transfer time from home to the training venue (p = 0.030). Individual sports student-athletes showed higher sport engagement (p = 0.003) compared to team sports counterparts. Differences among university majors emerged for university engagement (p<0.001). Long absence from classes (57%), limited leisure time (50%), financial uncertainty (44%), reduction of training due to education (42%), and overload feelings (37%) emerged. The majority of the sample resulted not familiar with dual career programmes (60%) and public authorities (69%), envisaging national dual career policies at university (37%) and sport (25%) levels. Multiple relevant dual career supporters at personal, sport, and university levels were identified, mainly parents (86%) and coaches (65%). To strengthen the potential of the student-athletes of the future, a dual career network should be established among several stakeholders, for transnational cooperation and sharing of knowledge and best practices through extensive communication between policy-makers, practitioners and those having a strong supportive dual career role (e.g., parents, coaches, and university sport staff).

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223278&type=printable

Dual-career through the elite university student-athletes' lenses: The international FISU-EAS survey.

An increasing number of female soccer players are playing at the elite level. It is important to encourage these players to remain mindful of the benefits of carrying out a dual career (e.g., highe...

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Elite female soccer players’ dual career plans and the demands they encounter

The challenges of the semi-professional footballer: a case study of the management of dual career development at a Victorian Football League (VFL) club.

Canoeing is one of the sport disciplines that brings great success to Spain in international competitions and Olympic Games (of the 17 medals won in Rio in 2016, four were in this sport, including three gold). However, the journey to become an elite athlete coincides in time with the challenge of pursuing an academic education, which often involves making difficult choices in the training-university dichotomy. The aim of this research was to ascertain how the Spanish under-23 calm water canoeing team perceives their athletic and academic careers. The present study was carried out with the Spanish under-23 flat water canoeing team, the step prior to competition at the highest level. The study sample comprised the whole population, namely the entire national team, made up of 21 athletes (11 women and 10 men) with a mean age of 20.57 ± 2.64 years and 10.00 ± 3.49 years of experience. These athletes are usually based at La Cartuja High Performance Center (Seville) and combine their sports activity with studying toward a university degree. A double qualitative and quantitative methodology was used. For the first of these, an interview script was elaborated based on the theoretical model by Wylleman et al. (2013). Applicable consents were requested from the Spanish Royal Canoeing Federation, coaches and paddlers. Interviews were carried out with each athlete twice: at the beginning and at the end of the season/academic year, which were recorded and subsequently tabulated and analyzed. Concerning quantitative methodology, the ESTPORT dual career questionnaire validated by Sanchez-Pato et al. (2016) was used. The results show that for all the paddlers canoeing is very important. It is typically complicated for them to attend classes, and subject planning is usually based on their training schedules. In the second/last part of the course, it is stressful for these athletes to combine both activities and some drop out of school. During the course, though, they appreciate having another activity that allows them to escape from the training routine. In addition, they miss not having an academic tutor to guide and advise them. These student-athletes are aware that their sport causes them to miss out on many moments with family and friends due to training or competing. However, at present this is offset, largely because of their high level of performance, which makes it easier for them to obtain scholarships that provide economic support.

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Dual Career of the U-23 Spanish Canoeing Team.

European student-athletes’ perceptions on dual career outcomes and services: Insights from the “Facilitating Higher Education for Athletes – WINNER Education Model” LLP project

European student-athletes' perceptions on dual career outcomes and services.

RESULTS: At 60%Vpeak, we not observed differences in SEES scale. At 85%Vpeak, the Fatigue subscale show similar responses between the groups, were an increased in IA when compared to B (p<0.001 to both). The feeling Scale results show that to control group, when 60%Vpeak was compared with 85%Vpeak intensity, the first one intensity was pleasurable, while the second one was unpleasurable (3.10±2.33 vs -1.90±3.51; p=0.002 respectively). To the exercise addiction group, both intensities was classified as pleasurable (3.00±1.82 vs 1.00±4.43; p=0.13). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that both exercise intensities moderate and intense (independent of fatigue state) are capable to promote well-being and pleasure in exercise addiction subjects, while to the controls group, feeling pleasure was observed only in moderate intensity. Financial Support: AFIP, CAPES (001 financial code), CNPq (400129/2016-7).

Niko Niemisalo

Papers

European student-athletes’ perceptions on dual career outcomes and services: Insights from the “Facilitating Higher Education for Athletes – WINNER Education Model” LLP project

European student-athletes' perceptions on dual career outcomes and services.

Student-athletesʼ Experience And Perception On Migration In Dual Career: The Amid Project