One consequence of the retirement transition, according to the model, is that athletes find normal life difficult because they are

• A. Accustomed to the demands of elite sport
• B. Not physically able
• C. Lacking skills
• D. Too busy financially

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how retirement affects athletes because their lives and sense of self are built around the demands of elite sport. When retirement occurs, the routines, goals, and identity tied to those high-level demands disappear. Athletes have become accustomed to a certain pace, structure, and purpose that elite sport provides, and normal life often feels under-stimulating or empty in comparison. This mismatch between the familiar intensity of sport and the quieter pace of everyday life makes the transition difficult.

The other possibilities aren’t aligned with this view: being not physically able reflects a health limitation rather than a psychological adjustment; lacking skills implies a capacity issue in everyday tasks; being too busy financially points to a different stressor than identity and routine.