1. Psychological Factors in Athletic Injuries
Some 3 to 5 million people are injured each year in sport and exercise.
Physical factors are the primary causes of injury, but psychological factors can also contribute.

2. How Injuries Happen Personality Factors Practice/Training
Stress Levels

3. Athletes at Risk
Combination of conditions puts athletes at greater risk of injury:
Negative life stresses
Increase in daily hassles
Previous injuries
Poor coping resources
All mediated by athlete’s personality

4. Athletes at Risk Study at University of Wisconsin:
Study assessed life stress of football players at UW
9% of players with low life stress experienced injuries that season (missed >3 practices or 1 game)
50% of players with high life stress (personal/family problems) experienced injuries that season

5. Stress–Athletic Injury Model

6. Psychological Reactions to Exercise and Athletic Injuries
Three general categories of emotional reactions to being injured:
Injury-relevant information processing
Emotional upheaval and reactive behaviors.
Positive outlook, coping
Most experience typical responses to injury, but speed and ease of progress through stages can vary widely.

7. Impact of Injury Overemphasis on acting tough and giving 110% attitude
Failure to distinguish between normal discomfort and injury pain
“You’re injured” or “you’re worthless” attitude from coaches/teammates
Money/contracts/scholarships
The greatest stresses are often psychological

8. Reactions to Injury Identity Loss
When athletes can no longer participate because of an injury, they may experience a loss of personal identity.
an important part of themselves is lost, seriously affecting self-concept, confusion and depression may result

9. Reactions to Injury Fear and Anxiety
When injured, athletes can experience high levels of fear and anxiety. They worry about whether they will recover, if re-injury will occur and whether someone will replace them permanently in the lineup.
Because the athlete cannot practice and compete, there’s plenty of time for worry.

10. Reactions to Injury Lack of Confidence
Given the inability to practice and compete, and deteriorated physical status, athletes can lose confidence after an injury.
Lowered confidence can result in decreased motivation, inferior performance, or additional injury because the athlete overcompensates.

11. Signs of Poor Adjustment to Athletic Injuries
Feelings of anger and confusion
Obsession with the question of when one can return to play.
Denial (e.g., “The injury is no big deal.”).
Repeatedly coming back too soon and experiencing re-injury.
Exaggerated bragging about accomplishments.

12. Signs of Poor Adjustment to Athletic Injuries
Dwelling on minor physical complaints.
Guilt about letting the team down.
Withdrawal from significant others.
Rapid mood swings.
Statements indicating that no matter what is done, recovery will not occur.

13. Strategies for Coping with Injury
2 most common coping strategies are problem-focused and emotion-focused

14. Strategies for Coping with Injury
Problem-focused:
Direct efforts at managing or altering the problem that causes the stress
Learn about treatment options
Setting (SMART) goals
Adhering to rehabilitation

15. Strategies for Coping with Injury
Emotion-focused strategies
Directed at managing the emotions that are experienced as a result of the injury
Ex. Positive self-talk
Relaxation techniques
Imagery to “practice” and relax
These strategies involve dealing directly with the feelings of the injury

16. Role of Sport Psychology in Injury Rehabilitation
Key Points
a holistic approach is needed, emphasizing both the healing of the mind and body.
injury treatment should include psychological techniques to enhance the healing and recovery process.

17. Role of Sport Psychology in Injury Rehabilitation
Build rapport with the injured party.
Take the athlete’s perspective, provide emotional support, and
be realistic but positive and optimistic.
Educate the injured person about the injury and recovery process.

18. Role of Sport Psychology in Injury Rehabilitation
Teach specific coping skills.
goal setting, positive self-talk, imagery, visualization and relaxation training.
Teach how to cope with setbacks.
Foster social support….
Family
Friends
Team and training staff
Support group
Learn from injured athletes.

19. Recommendations for Facilitating Rehabilitation for Coaches
Faster coach-athlete contact and involvement.
Demonstrate positive empathy and support.
Don’t repeatedly mention injury in training.