PROJECT PARTNERS
FIFPRO (Football Players Worldwide)
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)
FUNDING
FIFPRO (Football Players Worldwide)
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)
BACKGROUND
Transitioning out of professional football is not easy and during that process, players might face several challenges such as adjusting to a new life and lifestyle, being suddenly ‘like everyone else’ or missing the sport atmosphere and competition. Retired professional footballers might also face health conditions affecting various domains (e.g., musculoskeletal, psychological, cardiovascular, neurocognitive). Despite the health conditions likely to occur after retiring from professional football, support measures remain lacking. Accordingly, FIFPRO (Football Players Worldwide) and the Amsterdam University Medical Centers developed an After Career Consultation as an exit health examination to empower the sustainable health and quality of life of retired male professional footballers. A pilot-study conducted in the Netherlands revealed that retired male professional footballers were positive about the relevancy, suitability, satisfaction and added value of the After Career Consultation.
OBJECTIVES
The overall aim of this PhD research project is to work towards the medical care and support of retired male and female professional footballers. Specifically, (i) the health (e.g., mental, musculoskeletal) of retired male and female professional footballers is assessed, (ii) the After Career Consultation is implemented among male retired professional footballers, (iii) the view, experience and needs of retired male and female professional footballers and their physicians is explored, and (iv) a female-specific After Career Consultation is developed.