Taylor and Ogilvie (1994) - Transition within the elite...

When looking at gaining a more substantial background for my inquiry and its field of research, I was interested in looking at the coping mechanisms involved within career transitions, as it is not always by choice. The article I found, 'Repercussions of transitions out of elite sport on subjective wellbeing, a one year study', shows how 10 french elite (olympic level) athletes deal with that next step, their career transition after completing the sydney olympics, and ultimately retiring. The concept of retirement was not something I had initially thought of when starting my inquiry into career transitions - this move is not always by choice, but by need. This articles exploration into the study of the dynamics of subjective well-being within these athletes is also transferable to the eliteness of a dancer. I had already studied and been drawn to the transition model Taylor and Ogilvie had detailed, which is as follows:

This model shows the ever enduring 'circle' of professionalism, the ability to convert at the discretion of the person in question. This article encompasses this model when stating:

'...a transition during which athletes are face with dramatic changes in their social, personal and occupational lives.' (Taylor and Ogilvie 1994)

It further reveals the possible traumas that athletes may face as, much like dancers, they indicate very little control during their sport career and note that in fact the coach or sport association had been in control of their lives. They had become dependant, conformed in their eliteness to process of competing and training:

'Their performance-orientated lifestyle is facilitated by the sporting environment...Many decisions were made for them, ranging from how where and when to train, to arrangements for plane fares and accommodations.' (Werthner and Orlick 1986) (Kerr and Dacyshyn 2000)

The article continues to detail not the inevitable shift the athletes now face with regards to their priorities and interest. The intensity of the 'normal' regime has been lifted, allowing entrance as what can only be described as an ordinary citizen. This classification is where emotional difficulties lie, the ability to morph and change, being 'at one' with their transition.

'The adjustment process involves a shift in identity, from the identity and orientation of an athlete, to a state of disorientation and loss of identity, and finally to a re-orientation and definition of self.' (Kerr and Dacyshyn 2000)

This quote really captured me as I had never viewed the idea of a transition in this way. It thoroughly reflects the stages involved within the process, much like the model produced by Taylor and Ogilvie, moving from job to job, career to career, or simply event to event, emulates a change in yourself.
The article in whole really revealed to me the darker side that can be faced within career transitions, showing how the process itself requires confidence and endurance, particularly for the elite. Sometimes the process isn't discovered by choice but can be forced upon us by circumstance, it is at this point that self evaluation is necessary. In applying these theories to my inquiry I can see how the combination of building upon what is known and the learning of new technique is imperative to our own 'self security', proving yet again the power of the mind in our active movements.

Journal of applied sport psychology - Transition out of elite sport

Kerr, G., & Dacyshyn, A. (2000) The retirement experiences of female elite gymnasts. Journal of applied sport psychology, 12, 115-133.

Taylor, J., & Ogilvie, B. C. (1994) A conceptual model of adaptation to retirement among athletes. Journal of applied sport psychology, 6, 1-20.

Werthner, P., & Orlick, T. (1986) Retirement experiences of successful olympic athletes. International journal or sport psychology, 17. 337-363.