Drop-out Rate and Drop-out Reasons Among Promising Norwegian Track and Field Athletes

The aim of the present study was to identify the total drop-out rate and drop-out reasons for a group of promising track and field athletes. 202 males and 98 females, aged 16 ±2 years, took part in this study. Questionnaires were administrated in 1975, 1983, and 1989. In-depth interviews were conducted in 1989 and in 2000. A chi-square test was administrated to test the difference between males and females dropping out and to test the most significant reasons influencing the athletes’ decision to drop out of their competitive track and field activities. The drop-out rate was highest when the athletes were 17 years old. The results showed that females were clearly dropping out at a higher rate than males (p < 0.05). In contrast to the most common drop-out reasons mentioned in the research literature, this study showed that the frequency of injuries, stagnation in performance, educational demands, and a lack of motivation were highly notable reasons for why relatively many talented track and field athletes dropped out at an early age. The influence of social factors, participation in other sports, demanding work situations, military services, and marriage and family were also reasons for some athletes dropping out. Various dropout reasons were important over the life of the study, and differed at the different stages.