Filbay SR, et al. – A comprehensive analysis is carried out of the following queries: How do retired cricketers perceive and experience musculoskeletal pain and function in daily life? Are there any psychological attributes that might enhance or hinder retired cricketers’ quality of life (QoL)? A majority of the retired cricketers are reported to be living with pain or joint difficulties. Regardless of this fact, all but one is found to be satisfied or very satisfied with their QoL. This is partly elucidated by the positive psychological attributes that these retired cricketers share.

Methods

• This research constitutes a qualitative study using semistructured interviews, which are subject to inductive, thematic analysis.
• A data-driven, iterative approach to data coding is employed.
• The enrollees have resided and played professional cricket in the UK and appeared to be living in the UK or abroad at the time of interview.
• The recruitment consists of eighteen male participants, aged a mean 57±11 (range 34-77) years having played professional cricket for a mean 12±7 seasons and retired from professional cricket on average 23±9 years.

Results

• 15 enrollees report pain or joint difficulties and all but one is satisfied with their QoL.
• Maximum retired cricketers reflect on experiences during their cricket career that can be related to the psychological attributes that these individuals shared, with the inclusion of resilience and a positive attitude.
• Additional attributes comprise of a high sense of body awareness, an ability to self-manage pain and adapt to the lifestyle choices to accommodate physical limitations.
• The candidates report feeling fortunate and proud to have played professional cricket.
• This, in turn, may have contributed to the high QoL in this group of retired cricketers.