The main reasons for the career end of professional male soccer players in Kosovo: Preliminary results
Session
Sport, Health and Society
Description
The literature investigating athletes' sport careers is usually focused on a variety of different aspects. However, the information regarding the reasons for the career end of professional soccer players, especially in Kosovo, is missing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the main reasons why professional soccer players end their career. For the purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study, a previously validated questionnaire was administered to 100 retired soccer players, of which 54 filled it and were considered for the analysis. Among the participants, a 50% (n=27) used to play in the Superliga, which is the highest soccer level in Kosovo; a 24.1% (n=13) in the 1st League; and a 25.9% (n=14) in both leagues. The questionnaire included questions related to the reasons of professional career end and other aspects related to the professional soccer career. Most of the 54 respondents (70.4 %; n=38) declared a non-medical reason as the main one leading to their professional career ending, while medical reasons (29.6%; n=16) were highlighted as the second main factor. Among the main non-medical reasons, the highest percentage was registered for other job (61.5%); n=24) then personal reasons (28.2%); n=11) followed by age (10.3%; n=4).; Among the main medical reason were reported acute injury (68.8%; n=11), chronic injury/series of injuries (31.3%; n=5). Based on the preliminary results we can conclude that non-medical reasons are the main factors having the biggest impact on professional soccer players’ retirement.
Keywords:
Retirement; Football; Professional players
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-550-50-5
First Page
1
Last Page
2
Location
Lipjan, Kosovo
Start Date
29-10-2022 12:00 AM
End Date
30-10-2022 12:00 AM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2022.8
Recommended Citation
Gjaka, Masar; Feka, Kaltrina; Bianco, Antonino; and Tessitore, Antonio, "The main reasons for the career end of professional male soccer players in Kosovo: Preliminary results" (2022). UBT International Conference. 8.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2022/all-events/8
The main reasons for the career end of professional male soccer players in Kosovo: Preliminary results
Lipjan, Kosovo
The literature investigating athletes' sport careers is usually focused on a variety of different aspects. However, the information regarding the reasons for the career end of professional soccer players, especially in Kosovo, is missing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the main reasons why professional soccer players end their career. For the purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study, a previously validated questionnaire was administered to 100 retired soccer players, of which 54 filled it and were considered for the analysis. Among the participants, a 50% (n=27) used to play in the Superliga, which is the highest soccer level in Kosovo; a 24.1% (n=13) in the 1st League; and a 25.9% (n=14) in both leagues. The questionnaire included questions related to the reasons of professional career end and other aspects related to the professional soccer career. Most of the 54 respondents (70.4 %; n=38) declared a non-medical reason as the main one leading to their professional career ending, while medical reasons (29.6%; n=16) were highlighted as the second main factor. Among the main non-medical reasons, the highest percentage was registered for other job (61.5%); n=24) then personal reasons (28.2%); n=11) followed by age (10.3%; n=4).; Among the main medical reason were reported acute injury (68.8%; n=11), chronic injury/series of injuries (31.3%; n=5). Based on the preliminary results we can conclude that non-medical reasons are the main factors having the biggest impact on professional soccer players’ retirement.