Student-athlete transition program with a health-related focus : a feasibility study for one NCAA Division II institution
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Amanda H. Hilton (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Erin Reifsteck
Abstract: Health-related transitional programs can provide strategies for student-athletes to help them navigate the challenges they may face as they transition away from competitive athletics. However, few evidence-based transitional programs with a health-related physical activity (PA) focus exist, and even less research addresses the feasibility of implementation within specific institutional contexts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing transitional programming with a health-related PA focus at one NCAA Division II institution. Student-athlete alumni (n = 85) from the past five years were surveyed to gather information about their current PA and health-related quality of life. Additionally, survey questions related to programming feasibility were asked of the same former student-athletes as well as current athletic department personnel (n = 28). Data analysis revealed that over 90% of participants from both groups agreed that more should be done to support student-athletes’ transition out of sport and their health beyond athletics. Key resources that participants found most important to include in programming were career guidance, PA/exercise guidance, and mental health resources. While participants perceived that the university was adequately providing career guidance resources, they felt health-related resources such as PA/exercise guidance were missing. These results, coupled with findings that 60% of this former-student athlete sample were classified as falling below recommended PA guidelines, support the need for developing health-related transitional programing at this university. Responses from athletic personnel indicated that opportunities exist to feasibly integrate holistic transition programming within existing pathways through collaboration with other key stakeholders on campus.
Student-athlete transition program with a health-related focus : a feasibility study for one NCAA Division II institution
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Created on 5/1/2023
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2023
- Keywords
- Health-Related Transition Program, Student-Athlete
- Subjects
- College athletes $x Health and hygiene
- Exercise $x Health aspects