Retired contact-sport athletes showed mixed mental health patterns
The review found distress and problematic alcohol use, while depression, anxiety, and sleep scores in eligible studies were similar to population norms.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review does not support a uniform picture of poor mental health after retirement from professional contact team sports. Distress and adverse alcohol use were concerns, but depression, anxiety, and sleep scores were similar to population norms in studies supplying suitable scale data. These averages do not rule out substantial difficulties for individual former athletes.
The abstract reports that most studies were cross-sectional, relied on self-reports, and lacked follow-up. Women were poorly represented. These features limit conclusions about causes, changes after retirement, and applicability to women.
What researchers found
Depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance scores
Studies reporting means and standard deviations on validated scales, compared with population norms; time since retirement unreported.
Different ways of measuring
Reported prevalence varied widely across conditions and studies. Comparing average symptom scores with population norms answers a different question from counting people with symptoms, so these summaries should be interpreted separately.
Links do not establish causes
Concussion, pain, injury, and reduced physical function were linked to poorer mental health. Other factors, including athletic identity and social support, showed mixed associations. These patterns cannot establish that any factor caused a particular outcome.
The original publication
Influences on the mental health and well-being of retired professional athletes from high contact team sports: a mixed methods systematic review.
Vella JD, Facer-Childs ER, Ogden J et al.
Br J Sports Med · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 40930571
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.