Abstract
High-performance sport (HPS) pathway programs aim to identify and develop talented athletes physically, mentally and technically, guiding them towards elite-level success. However, athlete attrition and early retirement from HPS remains high. Existing athlete attrition literature has primarily focused on exploring micro-system level (intrapersonal or interpersonal) factors. In contrast, broader environmental and societal influences at the meso-and macro-system levels remain underexplored and require further investigation to better understand and address dropout within HPS pathways.The aim of this thesis is to develop a deeper understanding of the factors influencing athlete attrition within the HPS pathway system. HPS systems are inherently complex, characterised by their multidimensional, context-specific, and highly variable nature. To account for this complexity, a complex systems approach is used to examine how various factors interact and influence one another over time, across different levels of the system. This approach is operationalised through a socioecological framework, which provides a structured way to examine multiple levels of influence and the interrelationships between direct and indirect environmental factors that shape behaviours and decision-making within complex systems.
This thesis comprises four mixed methods studies and one concept paper, which collectively contribute to the development of a new Socioecological Organisational Adaptability and Resilience (SOAR) model generated through the findings and frameworks established throughout the research. The studies are not presented in a strictly sequential manner; instead, the thesis applies an inductive lens and adopts a complex systems approach, adapted from a systems ergonomic methodology. Each study aligns with a step in the systems ergonomics process.
The findings from this thesis significantly advance understanding of athlete attrition by offering deeper insight into the influences at the macro-system level and highlighting the importance of addressing systemic contributions to athlete attrition.
| Date of Award | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Gordon WADDINGTON (Supervisor) & Lain DARE (Supervisor) |