Table 3.

Eligible mixed-methods and multi-method studies.

Author, Year, Methodology, Methods	Country	Participant Characteristics	Years Since Retirement	Validated Tool Used	Key Quantitative Finding	Key Themes	Study Quality [17]
Greenleaf (2002) [26] Cross-sectional, thematic analysis	USA	Female; n = 6 Age: 23–31 (M = 26) Various Sports	1–5 years	Figure Rating Scale (FRS)	Nil significant findings (The FRS served as an additional source of complementary information)	(1) Factors influencing body image: uniforms, teammates, appearance, fitness and coaches, (2) comparison to previous body, (3) social body ideal vs. athletic ideal	33%
Papathomas, Petrie and Plateau (2018) [27] Cross-sectional, interpretivist analysis, multimethod	USA	Female; n = 218 Age: 25.72 ± 1.19 Gymnastics, Swimming	2–6 years	No	Years since retirement was unrelated to weight status, satisfaction and control. 55% dissatisfied with weight, 59.6% trying to lose weight.	(1) Move toward the feminine ideal, (2) feeling fat, flabby and ashamed, (3) a continued commitment to a former self, 4) conflicting ideals: the retired female athlete paradox	66%
Plateau, Petrie, and Papathomas (2017) [28] Cross-sectional, inductive analysis, multimethod	USA	Female; n = 218 Age: 25.72 ± 1.19 Gymnastics, Swimming	2–6 years	No	Athletes expressed concern on changing body shape and weight with reduced exercise.	(1) Finding new meanings in exercise (2) Negotiating exercise independence (3) Repositioning exercise in a broader life context	66%
Stephan and Bilard (2003) [29] Longitudinal, thematic analysis, multimethod	France	Female; n = 8 Male; n = 8 Age: 30.6 ± 3.7 Various Sports	1.5 months and 4.5months	Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ)	Decrease in body satisfaction between 1.5–5 months after retirement.	(1) Weight gain and uncertainty about physical capacities, (2) awareness of physical deterioration, (3) unpleasant somatic symptoms, (4) decrease in social recognition	66%