Sports Psychology

Athletes Reaction to Injury

Treatment of injury requires attending both physical and psychological needs

Athletes depend on the ability of their bodies to perform at optimal levels

Performance can be the cornerstone of social and economic success

Performance is important to self esteem

An injury is any physical challenge that interferes with performance

Psychological Reactions

Reactions depend on:Athletes perceptive of the injuries severity

How injury interferes with peak performance

Athlete themselves- reactions vary considerably from athlete to athlete

Emotional reactions are caused by:Pain associated with tissue damage

Amount of attention focused on injury

Psychological Components

All physical injuries have a psychological responses

Responses may include:Anxiety about the loss of motor skills and participation

Anxiety about treatment

Anxiety about rehabilitation

Anxiety about their return to play

Psychological Phases

5 phases have been identified which individuals progress through when confronted with grief or loss

Phases can occur in different sequences

Phases can occur with varying degrees of intensity

In some cases one or more phases may be omitted

These reactions are normal and athlete must be allowed to fully experience each

Five Psychological Phases

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

Denial Phase

After a sudden injury the athlete will commonly deny the seriousness of the condition“Nothing is really wrong”Irrational thinking indicates denial of the true seriousness of the injuryAthlete needs to reshape their perception of the injuryEither the athlete will change perception and leave denial phase or seek second and third opinions- prolonging the phase

Anger Phase

Once athlete can no longer deny an injury they often become angry

Anger is toward themselves, those around them, and everything in general

Challenging anger only makes it worse

“Why me” “What did I do wrong” Why am I being punished” “It’s not fair”

Athlete may lose interest in rehabilitation

Special Considerations

Athletes who deny pain or loss of functionIgnore pain signals or deny loss of function from injury

Tolerate high levels of pain

Apparently believe it is to their advantage not to acknowledge discomfort

Watch athletes carefully to try to detect signs of injury

Pay close attention to those athletes who have hidden injuries in the past

Special Considerations

Athletes who view injury as a source of reliefConsider injuries a source of relief rather than a threatCompetition is not only a opportunity to triumph, but also to failInjury can provide a socially acceptable reason to avoid the pressure to succeedDiscuss athletes perception of situation and reaction to pressure may be helpfulAthlete may need help learning to perceive the competitive situation as less a threat and more of an opportunity

Intervention Skills

Communication

Encourage cooperation

Goal Setting

Maintaining Team Associations

Relaxation Skills

Visual Imagery

Positive Self-Talk

Communication

Be honest and complete with the athlete about needs, expectations and progress

Evaluate often

Do not neglect their emotional responses by trying to cheer them up or ignoring their feelings

Anxious feelings are normal and should receive support as they work through them

Encourage Cooperation

Building cooperation and patience with athletes is essential for success rehabRemember athletes are the ones who must dedicate the time, effort and endure the painGive clear explanationsOutline procedures used in the treatmentMake responsible predictions of athletes prognosis and return to competition to improve cooperation

Goal Setting

Is critical to establish a program that will be motivational and achieve success

Measure progress daily

Break programs into small sub goals so that improvement is more visible

Set both short and long term goalsInclude positive language about what will be achieved, specifically what must be done, and time frame

Build rewards into reaching goals

Maintain Team Association

Athlete’s social status and rewards often dramatically decrease with an injury

Friendships based on team membership become threatened

Team Association keeps injured athletes motivation to return from fading

Must keep involved with teamLight workouts

Assist with coaching or managerial tasks

Relaxation Skills

Promote healing

Increase blood flow

Help work through pain

3 techniquesFocused relaxed breathing

Progressive muscle relaxation

Meditation

Focused, relaxed breathing

Lessen pain

Reduce muscular resistance in range of motion movements

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Most extensively used technique for relaxation todayCan be practiced in a reclining position or while seated in a chairEach muscle group in tensed from 5-7 seconds, then relaxed for 20-30 secondsOne repetition of the procedure is sufficientIf tension remains in the area- repeat in that area

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

The sequence of tensing and releasing is systematically applied to the body

Starting hands-arms-head-chest-lower body

Throughout the session a number of expressions for relaxing may be used

“Let the tension dissolve”

“Let go on the tension”

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

After the athlete has become highly aware of the tension in the body the contraction is gradually decreased until little remains

The athlete focuses on one area and mentally wills the tension to decrease to zero or complete relaxation

A short progressive program can be developed- not as satisfactory, does help the person to become aware of the body

Meditation

Technique used in culture dating back nearly 3000 years

Many consider meditation to be an attitude rather than a process

Not only relaxation, but individual’s capacity for focused attention

Can reduce mental anxiety, muscular tension, and create a climate for increased productivity

Meditation

Effects of MeditationUse up to 18% less oxygen

Produce less carbon dioxide

Slower respiratory rate

Decreased resting heart rate

Decreased blood pressure

Brain waves that are associated with the relaxed mental state increase

Meditation Techniques

Focus on a constant mental stimulus such as:A phrase repeated silently or audibly,

A sound or a single word

Perhaps a gaze steadily at some object

Turn away thoughts as they come into consciousness and return to focus of attention

Meditation Techniques

Position in a comfortable position

Normally, the eyes are closed unless the meditator is focused on some external object

A quiet environment is essential

Once fully physically relaxed, the process can begin

Meditation Techniques

With each exhalation the athlete emits self-talk of a short wordWord is repeated over and over for 10-20 minutes

Words such as peace, relaxed or one are excellent

After repeating the word, athlete comes back to physical reality slowly and gentlyAs awareness increases, physical activity should also increaseMoving too quickly or standing up suddenly may produce light headedness or dizziness

Visual Imagery

The imagination can greatly influence their response to an injury

Athletes can be taught to control:Visual images to direct tem productively

Reduce anxiety

Aid in rehabilitation and healing

Athletes should imagine the healing in the tissues and actually breath air out through the injured area

Visual Imagery

Athletes should mentally practice returning to activity and the feeling of being healed and regaining full movement

It is not unusual for athletes to have flashbacks to the original injury movement

Reassure that this is normal and that they should replace that image with one of what it will be like to return to action

Positive Self-Talk

Helpful in moving through the grieving process and focusing on recovery

Use affirming self statements and have athletes verbally encourage and reward themselves for their efforts and progress

Overtraining, Staleness and Burnout

Stress refers to a change

Stress is not all bad, nor is it all good

Sports participation serves as a stressor

Training too hard and too long without proper rest is overtraining

Athletes who undergo overtraining can become stale and burnt out

Overtraining Signs

Coaches, therapeutic staff, and athletes should be aware of the following:

Changes in an athlete’s physical output

Changes in an athletes motivation level

Psychosomatic complaints and decrease in intensity

Changes in the practice climate of the team- increased small overuse injuries

Staleness

Loss of vigor, initiative, and successful performance

Attributed to a variety of influencesLong seasons or extended seasons

Monotony in practice and program structure

Abusiveness-verbal and physical or controlling

High and constant levels of stress

Poor eating habits

Staleness

Staleness may be the beginning of burnout

Often a result of overtraining

Athletes are more prone to staleness if rewards of their efforts are minimal, like a losing season

Symptoms to Staleness

Decrease in performanceChronic fatigueApathyLoss of appetiteIndigestionWeight lossHigh BP/Pulse at rest and at exercise

Inability to sleepIrritability and restlessnessAnxiety and depressionHas to force self to practiceSigns of boredomDifficulty concentrating

Prevent Staleness

Time off- breaks in routineAllow athletes to have more input and control of decisions that affect themDecrease emotional and stressful demandsProvide a supportive and caring environment Sufficient attention to complaints and small injuriesIntervention skills- goal setting, relaxation, mental practices, positive self talk

Burnout

State of physical, mental and emotional environment

Ability to cope with minor daily frustrations decreases and ability to cope with major problems are paralyzed

Loss of motivation and interest

Can become extremely dangerous in terms of injuries and devastating in terms of performance

Symptoms of Burnout

Exhaustion

Depression

Emotional detachment

Psychosomatic complaints

Paranoia

Treatment for Burnout

Takes more drastic steps than staleness

Should be evaluated by a sports psychologist or clinical counselor

Removal from activity and environment

Psychological counseling

The End

Any questions???