Many college athletes realize a small percentage of their peers will continue their sport careers as professionals. Most athletes will suffer an injury that will keep them out of competition for at least a short time during their career. A six week injury can be half the season to an amateur athlete. The threat of serious injury which can end a ports career is always present especially for those in high risk activities. The transition that occurs when an athlete must end a sports career because of age or injury is a difficult time for many men and women.
Athletes have superior physical ability which can mask health problems.
Athletes who are gifted with extraordinary natural abilities can often develop health behavior problems without demonstrating serious symptoms. This is a clear risk for the athlete who uses chemicals in a problematic way yet is able to perform at an acceptable level due to superior ability. Some athletes have developed serious chemical use problems over a long period of time, but have not diminished athletic performance noticeably. This results in a serious problem for some people who might have been helped earlier but physical ability hid negative symptoms. Likewise, athletes can develop serious stress-related problems such as anxiety or troubled relationships without showing evidence of those problems during competition.