Psychological Effect: When an athlete is injured, they must go through the rehabilitation process to resume play. During this process, the athlete will be away from both the sport they are used to playing every day as well as their teammates. This can take a toll on the athlete, especially if they are out for an extensive period of time. Many athletes fear that if they are injured and unable to play, they are in a sense letting down their team, coaches, and fans because they cannot contribute like they normally do (Roderick. 2006. 83). Unable to be on the field or court, injured athletes can start to feel a sense of isolation from their normal and meaningful network of social relationships. In a session with a counselor after having sustained
…show more content…
2006. 78). More minor injuries may mean losing a starting spot once the injury is healed, which can affect the athlete’s self confidence. Athletes may even go as far as to hide symptoms from doctors, athletic trainers, and coaches so that they can remain in competition. Once an athlete’s injury is severe enough that they must sit out, they will most likely go through the five stages of loss, which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. Most athletes’ initial response to an injury is first shock and then physical pain (Wadey, Evans, Hanton, & Neil. 2012. 883). They then begin to question what they have done and some will even deny the injury to try to keep playing. After the realization of the injury sets in, the athlete might start to feel anger, frustration, and annoyance. These may stem from not being able to compete, missed sporting opportunities, pain of their injury, playing well before their injury, and even financial cost of their injury. Once the athlete finally accepts their injury, they are more likely to try to better understand their injury by asking questions, doing research, and even talking to other athletes that have had the same injury (Wadey, Evans, Hanton, & Neil. 2012. 885). Being able to go through the five stages of loss will help the athlete be able to come to terms with their injury, accept it, and move forward better than ignoring the injury as if it never
2006. 78). More minor injuries may mean losing a starting spot once the injury is healed, which can affect the athlete’s self confidence. Athletes may even go as far as to hide symptoms from doctors, athletic trainers, and coaches so that they can remain in competition. Once an athlete’s injury is severe enough that they must sit out, they will most likely go through the five stages of loss, which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. Most athletes’ initial response to an injury is first shock and then physical pain (Wadey, Evans, Hanton, & Neil. 2012. 883). They then begin to question what they have done and some will even deny the injury to try to keep playing. After the realization of the injury sets in, the athlete might start to feel anger, frustration, and annoyance. These may stem from not being able to compete, missed sporting opportunities, pain of their injury, playing well before their injury, and even financial cost of their injury. Once the athlete finally accepts their injury, they are more likely to try to better understand their injury by asking questions, doing research, and even talking to other athletes that have had the same injury (Wadey, Evans, Hanton, & Neil. 2012. 885). Being able to go through the five stages of loss will help the athlete be able to come to terms with their injury, accept it, and move forward better than ignoring the injury as if it never