Psychosocial aspects of release in youth and developing athletes: A systematic review

Release from sports teams, organisations and talent development programmes has been shown to have a number of effects on youth and developing athletes and their subsequent transition. The aim of this study was to systematically review, synthesise, and appraise research on release that has been conducted around youth and developing athletes. Specifically, this review aimed: (i) to examine psychosocial impacts of release; (ii) to examine factors related to adaptation to release; and (iii) to examine available resources for adaptation to release. Following a systematic search of six electronic databases and manual searches, a total of 15 studies that met the eligibility criteria were included in the final review. The studies included athletes from a variety of sports who were aged between 5 and 21 years, or athletes who were still part of a talent development programme. Although each of the included studies reported released athletes experiencing negative psychosocial impacts, positive psychosocial impacts were also identified in some studies. This review identified consistent links between factors and resources related to athletes' adaptation to release and how they influence the psychosocial impacts experienced by released athletes. Applied implications for athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders involved in the release process have been provided.