Dubbla karriärer
Elitidrottsstudenters uppfattningar om kombinationen elitidrott och akademiska studier
Elite-student-athletesCombinationDual careersSupportElitidrottsstudenterKombinationDubbla karriärerStödfunktioner
Retiring from elite sport can be a difficult and disruptive process for an elite athlete. To improve the quality of the transition after retirement, elite athletes are recommended to have dual careers which mean they combine their sport with education to be prepared for a new career when they retire from elite sport. To help elite student-athletes with this combination, universities and sport organizations provide different kind of support. This study was conducted and aimed to investigate elite athletes? perceptions of support offered by a university in Sweden and the elite athletes? perceptions of combining top level sport and academic studies. Questions about identity, balance and future were also examined. Qualitative interviews were made with nine elite student-athletes within the University. The results showed that elite student-athletes experience dual careers important and feel support from Universities and Sports Organizations is needed for this combination. The results also showed that elite student-athletes knowledge of support functions is lacking and that there are missing different kinds of support. Most elite student-athletes experience difficulties balancing sport, studies and social life, strongly identifying themselves to the athletic role and believe that an academic career is of great importance for the future. The study points to the importance of understanding the elite athletes? different needs and further research about the combination of top level sport and academic studies are needed to increase knowledge about what kind of support is needed to be able to provide elite student-athletes the right support for dual careers.