Psychological effects of sporting injuries

1. Psychological effects of sporting injuries

2. Objectives: To identify: • Stages of response to injury • Needs of the athlete during and after injury • The coaches roles

3. If you think you’re beaten, you are, If you think you dare not, you don’t, If you like to win but think you can’t, you won’t, If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost. Success begins with a person’s will It’s all in the state of mind.

4. Think of an athlete who has spent many years and countless hours training in the hope that one day he/she would be able to represent his/her country in the Olympic games.

5. Imagine the feelings of pride and accomplishment associated with making it through the many competitions and qualifiers that is necessary to earn a berth on the Olympic team. Now picture that same athlete sustaining an injury a month before the Olympics that literally shatters his or her dreams.

6. “Research has shown that the athletes often react to injury with a grief response similar to Kubler-Ross’s stages of death and dying”

7. 5 Stages • D----- • A---- • B--------- • D--------- • A---------

8. 5 stages • Denial – of what? • Anger – at who? • Bargaining – of what? • Depression - leading to? • Acceptance – leading to?

9. Needs Throughout this healing process the athlete has a wide range of needs, depending on the scenario and the severity of injury. There are also a variety of coping mechanisms and strategies that athletes use to fulfil various needs, and deal with the trials and tribulations of injury.

10. In looking at the basic human needs identified by Glasser (1984) (acceptance, success, sensation, and control) one could anticipate some needs that an injured athlete may have. Try and identify those needs.

11. Needs of the athlete: • Support • Need for expression • Knowledge • Care • Prompt Medical attention • Strategies • Rehab • Distractions