Salguero, A. (2003). Identification of dropout reasons in young competitive swimmers. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 43, 530-534.

This study examined reasons for discontinuing sport participation in Spanish competitive swimmers. Swimming dropouts (M = 40; F = 22) were administered the Questionnaire of Reasons for Attrition.

Survey results indicated that having other things to do was the most important reason for quitting swimming. Other important factors were lack of fun and perception of failure or low skill. Items relating to achievement/status or affiliation were also rated. Females placed greater emphasis than males on excessive pressure, hard training, dislike of competition, not winning enough, and not feeling important enough. Former swimmers with less experience at the time of dropout rated interest in another sport as more important and being too old as less important than swimmers with more experience.

Implication. Reasons for dropping out of competitive swimming are varied and gender specific.

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