The following request for survey responses was recently received from Lizzie Larkins, a grad student at Montana State (and assistant coach there, and former college racer at Vermont, and former coach at Auburn Ski Club, and coach at World Juniors, and Trail to Gold Fellowship coach on the World Cup, etc.). If you are 18 or older, spent at least one season racing in USSS or FIS competitions, considered yourself a nordic ski racer, and now consider yourself retired, you should consider completing this survey. Please read on for more information. Thank you.
Here’s Lizzie on behalf of Montana State:
The Montana State University Department of Health and Human Development is seeking participants for a study on Nordic skiers who have transitioned out of competitive sport. The research question for this project is, “How do nordic skiers in the U.S. navigate the transition out of competitive ski racing?” The purpose of this research is to demonstrate how the phenomenon of athletes leaving behind a demanding sport can impact their identity, social network, body image, and relationship to exercise. Creating awareness around this phenomenon will help support athletes navigating the transition, identify common themes in the athletes’ experiences, and better equip athletes and their support networks as they navigate the transition away from sport.
You are eligible to participate in this study if you are of U.S. origin, 18 years or older, raced for at least one season in U.S. Ski and Snowboard or FIS scored competitions, considered yourself to be a nordic ski racer or athlete, and have “retired” or moved on from consistent nordic ski racing.
The survey questions will take approximately 30 minutes to complete, and the research has been approved by the Montana State University Institutional Review Board (IRB #2023-815). Participation is voluntary and all responses will be kept confidential.
Here is the link to the survey.
For more information or if you have any questions, you can reach out to elizabeth.larkins (at) montana.edu.
