The preventive and supportive measures for reducing OA or symptoms of CMD for former elite athletes are lacking. As previously advocated by active and former professional athletes as well as by sports physicians, the development of self-management interventions directed towards OA and symptoms of CMD should be explored . Self-management strategies for chronic physical and mental health conditions, such as rheumatic diseases, diabetes and depression, are effective. These self-management strategies aim at engaging and promoting a healthy and active behaviour of patients by covering aspects such as self-awareness (information provision and patient education) and cognitive and behavioural therapy [5, 6, 27]. Another potential step forward in the medical care and support of former elite athletes is the development and implementation of an exit-career medical assessment (ExCMA). Such an ExCMA aims to raise self-awareness (information provision) about the long-term consequences of an elite sport career and counselling especially about OA’s remission, coping skills related to symptoms of CMD and promotion of healthy life style would be beneficial. Such an ExCMA is intended to be tested in professional football by the World Players’ Union (FIFPro) before a larger implementation across sports.