A qualitative perspective on the retirement of handball players from the Asobal League
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.117068Keywords:
consequences, handball, job placement, retirement from sports, transitionAbstract
Introduction: Retirement from professional handball is inherent to elite sport, as is subsequent job placement outside of handball.
Objective: The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive approach to the two aforementioned phenomena: retirement and reintegration. The factors that led the players to make this decision and their adaptation to the new era were analyzed.
Methodology: In-depth interviews were the tool chosen for this research, presented as the simplest way to collect and analyze data and personal experiences. To ensure a homogeneous sample, it was decided to include those who retired from the Asobal League in the last 7 years. All were Spanish and male, 16 subjects in total with a mean age of 40.81 ± 4.63 years.
Results: The results showed that all chose to continue their academic training after compulsory education, placing the social status provided by professional handball as one of the fundamental resources for finding employment.
Discussion: The data, compared with sports like soccer or Olympic athletes, showed the differences between the two, primarily in terms of accumulated capital.
Conclusions: In professional handball, balancing academic training with high-level sporting activity is a priority for many players, facilitating a future transition and diversifying opportunities.
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