Chapter 12: Helping the Injured Athlete Psychologically

©William E. Prentice

OBJECTIVES

When you finish this chapter you will be able to:

• Discuss how athletes might respond psychologically to an injury.

• Describe the progressive reactions to injury, dependent on length of rehabilitation.

• Discuss predictors of injury and interventions.

• Identify stressors in the athlete's life.

• Discuss the concept of buffers for stress management.

• Discuss the importance of goal setting as a means of making the injured athlete compliant with the rehabilitation program.

• Identify the various considerations in managing the psychological impact of injury.

• Describe the decision-making process for returning the injured athlete to competition.

When the body is injured, it is likely that the mind is also affected. Research indicates that athletes who experience a negative psychological response to injury have a longer and more difficult period of rehabilitation.⁷ Therefore, information regarding the effect that injury has on the athlete and the possible psychological care that can be given in the sports setting may facilitate the athlete's return to competition.²³

Certainly the sports medicine team can have a significant impact on the course of rehabilitation for the injured athlete (Figure 12–1).³ The manner in which these individuals interact with the injured athlete and how the athlete responds psychologically to injury collectively dictate the course of a rehabilitative program.¹⁵ The goal is to get the mind, as well as the body, ready to return to competition.⁴ If a sport psychologist is available to the athlete, such a person can be of tremendous value in helping the athlete learn to cope with both the psychological and physical stresses associated with an injury.⁶

Coaches and other fitness professionals who work with competitive or recreational athletes must have an understanding of the athlete's psychological reaction to injury and how different individuals deal with injury.¹⁴ The way a coach or fitness professional chooses to support the injured athlete during the period of rehabilitation can have a significant impact on the course of that process. This chapter addresses the athlete's psychological reaction to injury and suggests what the coach and fitness professional should do to have a positive impact.

THE ATHLETE'S PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO INJURY

Not all athletes deal with injury in the same manner.^5,20 One athlete may view an injury as disastrous; another may view it as an opportunity to show courage; and still another athlete may relish the injury to prevent embarrassment over poor performance, provide an escape from a losing team, or discourage a domineering parent.⁵

Injury Severity Classification