FEATURES OF SOCIAL ADAPTATION OF ATHLETES AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF A SPORTS CAREER

Abstract

Introduction. The article examines the peculiarities of social adaptation of athletes at different stages of their sports career. The relevance of the topic is due to the importance of adaptation processes for the successful integration of athletes into society, increasing their professional efficiency and ensuring a harmonious transition to new social roles after the end of their sports career. Particular attention is paid to the psychological, socio- cultural and economic aspects of adaptation that affect the quality of their lives. The article establishes that the adaptation of athletes is a multifactorial process that depends on the specifics of each stage of their career. At the initial stages, the key role is played by the support of family and coaches, at the peak of sports activity – by stress and motivation management, and at the end of the career – by the search for new social roles. It is proved that the main obstacles to adaptation are psychological stress, financial instability and isolation from the non-sports social environment. Objective.To determine the peculiarities of social adaptation of athletes at different stages of their sports career and to develop recommendations for creating conditions that promote successful socialization both during and after active sports activities. Methods. The research methods included an analysis of scientific approaches to the study of social adaptation of athletes; synthesis of information and generalisation of data on adaptation strategies at different stages of their careers and their evaluation. Results. The study identified the main adaptation strategies used by athletes and evaluated their effectiveness. It has been found that adaptation programmes that include psychological support, educational retraining and social integration are the most effective in reducing the risks of maladjustment. Practical recommendations are proposed to ensure comprehensive support for athletes at each stage of their career. The conclusions emphasise that for effective social adaptation of athletes, it is necessary to implement interdisciplinary approaches that combine physical, psychological and social training.