Chapter 11: Psychological Intervention for Sports Injuries and Illnesses

Psychological and sociological consequences of injury can be as debilitating as the physical aspects of an injury

Sports medicine team must have an understanding of how psyche, emotions and feelings enter into the treatment process

Each athlete will respond in a personal way to:

Role of personality and injuries must also be taken into consideration

Athletes Psychological Response to Injury

No matter the length of time, three reactive phases occur

Other matters that must be considered are past history, coping skills, social support and personal traits

Injury may impact a number of factors socially and personally and emotions may be uncontrollable

The Athlete and the Sociological Response to Injury

Providing Social Support

Stress as a Predictor of Risk

Physical Response to Stress

Stress is a psychosomatic phenomenon

–Physiologic responses are autonomic, immunologic and neuroregulatory.

–Hormonal responses result in increased cortisol release

–Negative stress produces fear and anxiety

Acute response causes adrenal secretions causing fight or flight response

Adrenaline causes pupil dilation, acute hearing, muscle responsiveness increases, increased BP, HR and respiration

Two types of stress -- acute and chronic

When athlete is removed from sport because of injury or illness it can be devastating - impact on attaining goals

Emotional Response to Stress

Overtraining

Staleness

Symptoms of Staleness

Burnout

Reacting to Athletes with Injuries

Return to Activity

Techniques for Coping with Pain

Athlete can be taught simple techniques to inhibit pain

Should never be completely inhibited as pain serves as a protective mechanism

Three methods can be used to reduce pain