Perception of the influence of the Estport model in the dual career of student-athletes in universities in Spain and Italy

The objective of the present study was to analyze the influence of the Estport model implemented in universities in Spain and Italy, after intervention in an academic year. 153 student-athletes participated, 109 Spaniards and 44 Italians, with ages between 17 and 48 years (M = 23.62; DT = 4.31) of different sports level: amateur (25.4%), semi-professional (42.8%), and professional (31.8%). The ESTPORT questionnaire on the perception of university students-high-level athletes about the dual career was used. The Italian athletes perceived more barriers than the Spanish and in general, the men perceived more barriers than the women. Regarding the perception of aid tools and sports mentoring, there are no significant differences between countries and gender, a similar perception of the influence of the Estport model could suppose it.