Level of Physical and Motor Fitness Post Retirement and Maintenance of Athletic Identity Within Active Retired Athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in physical and motor fitness, as well as athletic identity, at post retirement from elite sport. Participants were 18 former and 18 current elite athletes. Both groups completed a range of physical and motor fitness tests. Current identity was assessed using the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS). The retired athletes completed the AIMS a second time, retrospectively reflecting on identity during their sporting careers. No differences were observed between current and retired athletes on measures of physical fitness; however, current athletes performed better on all tests of motor fitness. No significant differences were noted between current and retired athletes with regard to identity, nor between retired athletes’ current and former identity. These results contribute to the limited extant literature examining physical and bodily changes post retirement. Physical rather than motor fitness may be more closely tied to identity.