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.
How Injuries Happen
Personality Factors
Practice/Training
Stress Levels
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
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
Stress–Athletic Injury Model
Psychological Reactions to
Exercise and Athletic Injuries
Three general categories of emotional
reactions to being injured:
1. Injury-relevant information processing
2. Emotional upheaval and reactive behaviors.
3. Positive outlook, coping
Most experience typical responses to injury, but
speed and ease of progress through stages can
vary widely.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Strategies for Coping with Injury
2 most common coping strategies are
problem-focused and emotion-focused
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
http://www.wasco.k12.ca.us/SmartGoals%20Templa
te.pdf
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
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.
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.
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….
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Family
Friends
Team and training staff
Support group
Learn from injured athletes.
Recommendations for Facilitating
Rehabilitation for Coaches
Faster coach-athlete contact and
involvement.
Demonstrate positive empathy and
support.
Don’t repeatedly mention injury in training.