Sport "Dropout" term interpretations

The term "dropout" is widely used to determine that an individual no longer competes in a sport and may accompany some underlying negative connotations to an actual circumstance. Athletes, especially those of a younger age, are determined a "sport dropout" when then leave or withdraw from sport participation (Battaglia & Kerr, 2022). Until recently, this term has not been thoroughly explored and most perceptions of the term and the label imposed on athletes is that of a preconceived perception of the word and its meaning. In reality, this term may label youth athletes in a negative way and may be detrimental with accompanying shame and dereliction.

Youth athletes endure a number of biological, mental, and social changes in early development. Researchers indicate that sport participation peaks at 13 years of age followed by dramatic declines. Battaglia and Kerr (2022) highlight three types of potential dropouts from Lindner et al.'s Model of Voluntary Youth Sport Withdrawal (1991): Sampler Dropout, Participant Dropout, and Transfer Dropout. The sampler dropout tries a sport and decides it is not for them. The participant dropout commits to one or more sports for a number of years and is further categorized as low, high, and elite level participant. The transfer dropout is an individual who moves their participation from one sport or level to another, withdrawing from the other sport or level of competition.

Battaglia and Kerr (2022) also highlight Gould's Model of Youth Sport Withdrawal (1987) and describe that withdrawal from sport may be activity-specific (dropout from a sport or specific program) or domain-general (permanent dropout from all sport activities. Furthermore, the authors highlighted another performance-oriented perspective of dropout from Alfermann and Stambulova (2007) stating that dropout refers to the premature termination of a sport career before the athlete reaches his or her optimal performance level.

Battaglia and Kerr (2022) were most interested in what the term "dropout" means to sport stakeholder, how those interpretations compare and contrast with conceptualizations in current literature, and how relevant the term is to sport stakeholders. To understand more, their study examined athletes', parents', and coaches' interpretations of the term "dropout" from youth sport.

To many stakeholders, the term "dropout" is descriptive of a negative decision and has implied failure connotations. Many stakeholders highlighted a lack or failure of commitment. Other descriptions from stakeholders implied an unrealized athletic potential and a failure to achieve performance expectations as if "dropping out" is a waste of athletic potential. In some circumstances this may be true, however it does not balance with the reason for the athlete withdrawing from sport participation.

Many stakeholders referenced "dropout" as a negative choice for leaving a sport as if dropout negatively means someone is leaving for the wrong reasons and not indication of withdrawal for extenuating circumstances (family issues, financial issues, etc.). To some athletes, leaving a sport may be developmentally appropriate as in trying a different sport or pursuing more time for academia. The researchers found that the word "dropout" was mostly associated with the negative connotations of failure and the understanding of dropping out of school as the major definition of the label "dropout". It is a normal aspect of sport and performance that athletes eventually specialize and invest more focus on a preferred sport in teenage years.

The negative connotations associated with the term "dropout" to refer to an athlete that is withdrawing from a particular sport are evident and may create a shameful and distressed feeling in young developing athletes. This overall shame may be detrimental to the development of the youth athlete outside of sport as well because of the negative view associated with the term. This may lower self-worth and diminish motivation. We must continue to foster growth and performance excellence in Sport and Performance, specifically for youth athletes.

Battaglia, A. & Kerr, G. (2022). Exploring sport stakeholders' interpretations of the term

dropout from youth sport. Journal of Applied SPort Psychology, 34(1), 67-88.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200/2019.1707727