WHAT ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RECOVERING FROM INJURY IN SPORT?

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Dear Sir/Madam, What are the psychological effects of recovery from sporting injuries? I realise that this is a very broad area, but any information would be appriciated. How does someone respond to being injury. Really I would just like any commonalities in the average athlete.

Thank you very much, Steve.

-- STEVE THOMPSON (steve-thompson@altavista.net), December 08, 1998

Answers

Steve, Several people have asked similar questions in this arena. What I can tell you is that most athletes will experience some increase in negative mood immediately post injury. Particulary athletes feel frustrated, angry, and depressed. There have been reports that some athletes will also expereince reduced self esteem and self confidence, although this may be moderated by the level of sport at which they compete. The increase in negative mood and decrease in self esteem gradually return to normal levels over the course of recovery, usually by about 3/4 through mood is back to normal and at recovery self esteem is also back to normal. The effects of these changes on the recovery of the athlete are less well documented. There is some evidence that the increased negative mood is related to poor adherence to rehabilitation. The factors that have been related to good adherence to rehabilitation are self confidence and self efficacy (a specific belief in one's ability at that time to perform a certain task to a certain level)as well as being a member of a sporting team as opposed to an individual athlete. If you can get your hands on some of these references they will give you more detailed info. Brewer,B.W. 1998. Adherence to Sport injury rehabilitation. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. 10, 70-82. Smith, AM., Scott, SG., O'Fallon, WM., & Young, ML. 1990. EMotional responses of athletes to injury. Mayo Clinics Proceedings. 65; 38-50. Leddy, MH., Lambert, MJ., & Ogles, BM. 1994. Psychological consequences of athletic injury among high level competitors. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Vol 65; No.4, pp 347-354.

If you need any more info drop me an email. Cheers adam

-- adam hall (a.hall2@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au), February 04, 1999.


I am a 6'9" junior that plays basketball at Christian Brothers University. This year was going great. I had 8.0rpg and 11.9ppg. One day during pratice I sprung my ankle really badso therefore thing hit rock bottom. I did rehab for three hours a day, but my ankle seem never to get better. I know my team needed me and I really wanted to play, but my body would not allow it. I tried to return knowing that it was not totally ready. It made me feel so upset because I could not jump,shoot,or run like I could before. My teammates and coaches always said things like "I never seen an ankle take that long to get well." It hurt like hell to hear that because I really wanted to win Gulf South newcomer of the year. I pray every night that it get well, but I know that God has a plan.

-- Shemon Reaves (Sreaves@cbu.edu/), January 21, 2000.

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