Over recent year’s sports science and psychology has become increasingly interested in the psychological impact of injury. Hitherto the psychological well-being of athletes in rehabilitation has often been covered informally by coaches, doctors, physios and family networks. Although these support networks remain important and are often of considerable benefit in a more general sense it remains the role of the psychological expert to assess, manage and support the athlete’s emotional well-being through the rehabilitation process.
Injury and The Grief Wheel
In the majority of cases the experience of the athlete is not inconsistent with that of an individual coming to terms with bereavement. This is seen most significantly in terms of the similarities to The Grief Wheel (see below) where the athletes move through a relatively consistent set of emotional states. This starts with shock (denial), then protest (anger), disorganisation (depression) and re-organisation (acceptance).
The Grief Wheel of Injury and Rehabilitation
Following the initial shock of injury it is not uncommon for athletes to play down the extent of the injury by either attempting to run it off, shake it out or stretch it off to make the pain go away. In the case of minor ailments this might be sufficient.
This may be followed by feelings of anger and protest either directed inwardly towards themselves or to those around the athlete if there was someone else involved either directly or indirectly in causing the injury whether that be a competitor (direct involvement) or coach, team mate or manager (indirect involvement). From here the athlete tends to attempt to rationalise and/or intellectualise the impact of the injury which can, on occasion, lead to depression. Finally is re-organisation and acceptance typified by the athletes ability move from an emotional state to a problem-solving state as they come accept what needs to be done to get the back to active sport participation.
Injury and Loss of Identity
In addition to the process of psychological acceptance of injury that precedes rehabilitation there is also the potential impact on the athletes’ sense of identity. This can be particularly the case with elite athletes whose sole focus is often their sport. In such circumstances the level of sacrifice required of the athlete to participate in their given sport at elite level means that they have little time for other activities. This can mean their whole sense of self comes from their participation in their sport. So to be injured and unable to participate can result in a profound loss of sense of identity and self esteem.
Fear of Re-Injury
Another consideration for the psychology professional and the wider sports science and medical disciplines to consider is the potential fear of re-injury. This can in turn have an impact on the athletes’ engagement in the rehabilitation process and their timely return to sporting activity.
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