Abstract
This study investigated the psychological and behavioral factors experienced athletes had after hitting “rock bottom” in their athletic life. We conducted semi-structured interview surveys for 10 athletes who had continued track and field athletics as working adults for more than 3 years. We categorized the data according to the instances of students and members of society experiencing “rock bottom” and analyzed using the KJ method. Consequently, passivity（ dependence on coaches） and the absence of who to ask for help were confirmed in all cases of a student hitting “rock bottom.” Further, uncertainty about what to do, unrewarding conditions, mental and physical burden,and environmental changes were confirmed as factors in hitting “rock bottom.” Regarding the cases of working adults, it was confirmed that mental and physical burden, difficulty in sports-life balance, unrewarding conditions, and lack of specialized knowledge that is sub category of uncertainty about what to do were factors in hitting “rock bottom.” Specifically, physical changes resulting from aging, psychological exhaustion, and difficulty in sports-life balance were distinguishing characteristics in the cases of working adults. Quantitative research is necessary for the future; nonetheless, it was proposed that long-term athletes need assistance and policies based on these factors.
