1. Sports Psychology Unit 9

2. 2. Athletes Reaction to Injury Treatment of injury requires attending both ______ and ____________________needs Athletes depend on the ability of their bodies to perform at optimal levels Performance can be the cornerstone of social and economic success Performance is important to ____________ An injury is any physical challenge that interferes with performance and can be devastating

3. 3. Psychological Reactions Reactions depend on: Athletes ________________of the injuries severity How injury interferes with peak performance Athlete themselves- reactions vary considerably from athlete to athlete Emotional reactions are caused by: __________associated with tissue damage Amount of_______________ focused on injury

4. 4. Psychological Components All physical injuries have a psychological responses Responses may include: Anxiety about the loss of motor skills and _________ Anxiety about _______________ Anxiety about ________________ Anxiety about their return to play

5. 5. Psychological Phases 5 phases have been identified which individuals progress through when confronted with grief or loss Phases can occur in different ______________ Phases can occur with varying degrees of ______ In some cases one or more phases may be omitted These reactions are normal and athlete must be allowed to_____________________

6. Five Psychological Phases Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance

7. 7. Denial Phase After a sudden injury the athlete will commonly deny the _____________of the condition “Nothing is really wrong” Irrational thinking indicates denial of the true seriousness of the injury Athlete needs to reshape their perception of the injury Either the athlete will change perception and leave denial phase or seek second and third opinions- prolonging the phase

8. 8. Anger Phase Once athlete can no longer deny an injury they often become angry Anger is toward themselves, those around them, and______________________ Challenging anger only makes it worse “Why me” “What did I do wrong” Why am I being punished” “It’s not fair” Athlete may lose interest in rehabilitation

9. 9. Bargaining Phase After anger subsides – reality and severity set in they begin to have doubts and fears about injury Athlete is trying to establish _________________ situation. Bargaining may be reflected by pressure put on therapy staff to “work miracles” and get them back to participation.

10. 10. Depression Phase As athlete becomes aware of the length of time necessary for healing then depression sets in. In cases of an athlete’s first severe injury depression may be very severe. ________________and lose of desire for food may occur. Patience is critical

11. 11. Acceptance Phase Gradually athlete begins to feel less depressed and isolated and becomes resigned to the situation. Athlete will apply _____________to rehabilitate. Athlete will accept limitation and focus on getting back to participation.

12. 12.Pain denial or Loss of function Athletes who deny pain or loss of function Ignore pain signals or deny loss of function from injury Tolerate high____________ Apparently believe it is to their advantage not to acknowledge discomfort Watch athletes carefully to try to ___________of injury Pay close attention to those athletes who have hidden injuries in the past

13. 13. Injury as a relief Athletes who view injury as a source of relief Some athletes would rather be injured than compete Injury can provide a ____________________reason to avoid the pressure to succeed Discussing athletes perception of situation and reaction to pressure may be helpful Athlete may need help learning to perceive the competitive situation as ____________and more of an opportunity

14. 14. Intervention Skills Communication Encourage______________ _______________ Maintaining Team Associations _____________Skills Visual Imagery Positive Self-Talk

15. 15. Communication Be honest and complete with the athlete about needs, expectations and progress Evaluate often Do not neglect their __________________by trying to cheer them up or ignoring their feelings _________ feelings are normal and should receive support as they work through them

16. 16. Encourage Cooperation Building cooperation and patience with athletes is essential for success rehab Remember athletes are the ones who must dedicate the time, effort and endure the pain Give clear__________________ Outline _____________used in the treatment Make responsible predictions of athletes prognosis and return to competition to improve cooperation

17. 17. Goal Setting Is critical to establish a program that will be motivational and achieve success Measure________________ Break programs into small sub goals so that improvement is more________ Set both short and long term goals Include _______________about what will be achieved, specifically what must be done, and time frame Build rewards into reaching goals

18. 18. Maintain Team Association Athlete’s social status and rewards often dramatically decrease with an injury ___________based on team membership become threatened Team Association keeps injured athletes ________ to return from fading Must keep involved with team Light workouts Assist with coaching or managerial tasks

19. 19.Relaxation Skills ________healing ________blood flow Help work through ______ 3 techniques Focused relaxed breathing Progressive muscle relaxation Meditation

20. 20. Focused, relaxed breathing Lessen pain Reduce muscular resistance in range of motion movements

21. 21. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Most extensively used technique for relaxation today Can be practiced in a reclining position or while seated in a chair Each muscle group in tensed from 5-7 seconds, then relaxed for 20-30 seconds One repetition of the procedure is sufficient If tension remains in the area- repeat in that area

22. 22. Progressive Muscle Relaxation The sequence of tensing and releasing is systematically applied to the body Starting hands-arms-head-chest-lower body Throughout the session a number of expressions for relaxing may be used “Let the tension dissolve” “Let go on the tension”

23. 23. Progressive Muscle Relaxation After the athlete has become highly aware of the tension in the body the contraction is gradually decreased until little remains The athlete focuses on one area and mentally wills the tension to decrease to zero or complete relaxation A short progressive program can be developed- not as satisfactory, does help the person to become aware of the body

24. 24. Meditation Technique used in culture dating back nearly 3000 years Many consider meditation to be an________ rather than a process Not only relaxation, but individual’s capacity for ______________________ Can reduce mental anxiety, muscular tension, and create a climate for___________________

25. 25. Effects of Meditation Use up to _______oxygen Produce less____________ Slower respiratory rate Decreased resting heart rate Decreased blood pressure Brain waves that are associated with the relaxed mental state increase

26. 26. Meditation Techniques Focus on a constant mental stimulus such as: _______________repeated silently or audibly, A sound or a_____________ Perhaps a gaze steadily at some object _______________________as they come into consciousness and return to focus of attention

27. 27. Meditation Techniques Position in a comfortable position Normally, the eyes are closed unless the meditator is focused on some external object A ____________is essential Once fully physically relaxed, the process can begin

28. 28.Meditation Techniques With each exhalation the athlete emits self-talk of a short word Word is repeated over and over for 10-20 minutes Words such as peace, relaxed or one are excellent After repeating the word, athlete comes back to physical reality slowly and gently As awareness increases, physical activity should also increase Moving too quickly or standing up suddenly may produce light headedness or dizziness

29. 29. Visual Imagery Imagination rules the world!!!! The imagination can greatly influence their response to an injury Athletes can be taught to control: _____________to direct tem productively Reduce____________ Aid in ____________and healing Athletes should imagine the healing in the tissues and actually breath air out through the injured area

30. Visual Imagery Athletes should mentally practice returning to activity and the _________________________and regaining full movement It is not unusual for athletes to have __________to the original injury movement Reassure that this is normal and that they should replace that image with one of what it will be like to return to action

31. 31. Positive Self-Talk Helpful in moving through the grieving process and focusing on recovery Use _____________________and have athletes verbally encourage and reward themselves for their efforts and progress

32. 32. Overtraining, Staleness and Burnout Stress refers to a change Stress is not all bad, nor is it all good Sports participation serves as a_____________ Training too ________________without proper rest is overtraining Athletes who undergo ____________can become stale and burnt out

33. 33. Overtraining Signs Coaches, therapeutic staff, and athletes should be aware of the following: Changes in an athlete’s_______________ Changes in an athletes_______________________ Psychosomatic complaints and decrease in intensity ________in the practice climate of the team- increased small overuse injuries

34. 34.Staleness Loss of___________________, and successful performance Attributed to a variety of influences _________________or extended seasons _____________in practice and program structure _______________________and physical or controlling High and constant levels of_________________ Poor eating habits

35. 35.Staleness Staleness may be the beginning of_________ Often a result of________________ Athletes are more prone to staleness if rewards of their efforts are minimal, like a losing season

36. 36. Symptoms to Staleness ____________in performance Chronic fatigue __________ Loss of appetite Indigestion ______________ High BP/Pulse at rest and at exercise Inability to sleep Irritability and restlessness ___________and depression Has to force self to practice ________of boredom Difficulty concentrating

37. 37.Prevent Staleness __________________breaks in routine Allow athletes to have more _____________of decisions that affect them Decrease ___________and stressful demands Provide a supportive and caring environment Sufficient attention to complaints and small injuries ______________skills- goal setting, relaxation, mental practices, positive self talk

38. 38. Burnout State of physical, mental and emotional environment Ability to cope with minor daily frustrations _________and ability to cope with major problems are____________ Loss of _____________and interest Can become extremely dangerous in terms of _______and ___________in terms of performance

39. 39. Symptoms of Burnout Exhaustion ___________ Emotional detachment Psychosomatic complaints _____________

40. 40.Treatment for Burnout Takes more drastic steps than staleness Should be ______________________________or clinical counselor ___________from activity and environment _________________counseling

41. The End Any questions???