Introduction: The Transition from Collegiate Sports to Retirement
The transition from being a high-level collegiate athlete to a retired professional or working adult is a significant life milestone. While much focus is placed on the physical injuries that occur during active play, such as ligament tears or fractures, there is a growing concern regarding the long-term impact of head exposure and concussions. In particular, the period immediately following retirement—the first five years—is a critical window for understanding how these athletes adapt and whether the cumulative effects of their sports careers begin to manifest in their mental, physical, and cognitive health. The CARE (Concussion Assessment, Research and Education) Consortium study provides a deep dive into this transition, examining thousands of former athletes to identify how head exposure impacts their quality of life.
