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MiOTA Fall Conference 2026
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Moving on from Key Milestones: Potential Roles of OT in Collegiate Athlete Retirement
Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Rhine (50) POSTERS
Athletics are an integral part of life for many individuals from childhood through young adulthood. Furthermore, the transition out of competitive sport mirrors a major life change extending beyond physical performance. Athletic retirement is often accompanied by challenges to mental health and life satisfaction as a result of identity shifts, changes in daily routines, and a journey to finding a new source of social belonging. 
Whether preparation precedes it or not,  adapting to life after sports can be complex, requiring individuals to redefine their sense of purpose and find new meaningful occupations outside of sport. Thus, understanding the challenges within this transition is essential for identifying how supportive professions, such as occupational therapy (OT), can support overall well-being as athletes navigate life beyond sports. 
Therefore, this study, explores how individuals adjust to life after completing their collegiate athletic careers. The purpose of this study is to better understand how current and former athletes cope (or intend to cope) with this transition while providing occupational therapy student-led support to promote successful adaptation to life after sport. Participants are invited to complete 1 of 2 10-15 minute online surveys asking about their experiences (1) after leaving collegiate athletics or (2) their anticipated feelings about leaving collegiate athletics. The survey includes a mix of fill-in short answers and select-one options measured on a Likert scale. In addition, participants are invited to voluntarily take part in up to six, 45-60 minute, once per week focus groups over a six-week time frame, involving up to three research participants and up to three investigators per group. During these groups, participants have an opportunity to talk more deeply about their personal experiences and/or anticipated experiences with athletic retirement and may receive occupational therapy-related content to foster adaptation. The information gathered is used to identify common experiences and potential roles for occupational therapists in supporting this transition. This study is currently in progess with results pending. Findings from this study will help to inform future programs and resources designed to support this population.


Bopp, T., Stellefson, M., Stewart, M., Zhang, L., Apperson, A., & Odio, M. (2021). Wellness in transitions out of college sports participation: Experiences of former NCAA division I student-athletes. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education, 18(1), 43–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/19357397.2021.1989273


Eagers, J., Franklin, R. C., Broome, K., & Yau, M. K. (2019). The experiences of work: Retirees’ perspectives and the relationship to the role of occupational therapy in the work-to-retirement transition process. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 64(2), 341-354. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-192996 (Original
Speakers
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Mackenzie Amalia

Occupational Therapy Student, Eastern Michigan University
Mackenzie is a professional year 2 occupational therapy student at Eastern Michigan University. Mackenzie is a retired collegiate basketball athlete who's research interests include supporting the mental health aspects of individuals retiring from collegiate and professional sports... Read More →
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Kaylynn Christoffers

Occupational Therapy Student, Eastern Michigan University
Kaylynn Christoffers is a professional year 2 occupational therapy student at Eastern Michigan University. Kaylynn is a retired athlete who's research interests include supporting the mental health aspects of individuals retiring from collegiate and professional sports in order to... Read More →
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Olivia Emert

Occupational Therapy Student, Eastern Michigan University
Olivia  is a professional year 2 occupational therapy student at Eastern Michigan University. Olivia's research interests include supporting the mental health aspects of individuals retiring from collegiate and professional sports in order to foster a productive change in occupational... Read More →
Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Rhine (50) POSTERS
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