Why do athletes continue to play through injury?

Several factors cause athletes of all levels to continue to play through the pain: the warrior mentality, shame from showing weakness and letting others down, pressure from teammates and coaches, and the threat, imagined or real, of loss of playing time.

How does an injury affect an athlete?

Injury is often accompanied by depression, tension, anger and low self-esteem, particularly in competitive, seriously injured athletes. Mood disturbance seems to relate to the athlete’s perceived progress in rehabilitation and has been shown to negatively relate to attendance at rehabilitation sessions.

Why athletes should not play through injury?

Playing through an injury may even end your sports career entirely. Continuing to play if you have an injury can make that injury worse. A small stress fracture that might have healed quickly can grow into a more serious, more painful fracture that will take longer to heal.

How do athletes respond to injury?

In these athletes, an injury may result in even greater emotional upheaval. Emotional responses to injury include sadness, feelings of isolation, irritation, lack of motivation, frustration, anger, alterations in appetite, sleep disturbance, and feeling disengaged.

What happens when you’re injured?

Redness, heat, swelling and pain are associated with this first stage. Redness and heat are caused by increased blood flow. Swelling is the result of the increased movement of fluid and white blood cells into the injured area. The release of chemicals and the compression of nerves in the area of injury cause pain.

How injuries affect athletes later in life?

Previous joint injuries may increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, the study authors said. The former college athletes also had higher levels of depression, fatigue and poor sleep than non-athletes, according to the study, which was published recently in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Why do athletes get angry when injured?

This lack of performance could be very stressing to the athlete resulting in anger in oneself and others around them. An athlete’s inability to constructively cope with the stress could lead them to depression and a feeling that they might never fully get over the injury.

Why do athletes play sports?

Athletes play sports for themselves, simply because they love the game, and because they want to make their community proud. Sports provide so many different opportunities such as the ability to gain a scholarship for college, or later on playing professional sports for a living.

How do you play sport with an injury?

First, stop playing as soon as you notice an injury and talk to your coach or doctor. Then keep resting until you are fully healed and your doctor gives the go ahead (even if you feel sort of OK and there’s a big game coming up, don’t play unless your doctor says you can). Second, condition your body.

What happens when a student athlete gets injured?

A college athlete who plays a sport as a representative of the university assumes they will be taken care of if they are injured. If it’s a minor injury, it can likely be managed by the certified athletic training staff who are typically employed by (or contracted on behalf of) the University.

What do you call the injuries that happen when playing sports or exercising?

Sports injuries are injuries that happen when playing sports or exercising. Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising.

How can I overcome my fear of sports injuries?

Although therapy is often the most effective treatment to help you overcome your fears, you can take some other steps to help. Educate yourself about the injury. Much of the fear relates to the uncertainty of a sports injury. Talk to your doctor and physical therapist so you know what to expect regarding treatment and prognosis.

How does post-traumatic stress disorder affect athletic performance?

After incurring an injury in sports, it can be difficult to recover physically and mentally. Some athletes experience stress and anxiety. Others develop a type of fear, known as post-traumatic stress disorder, that can affect athletic performance. Therapists and psychologists can help you overcome this fear, and there are things you can do as well.

Are your athletes mentally ready to return to play?

That is, once they are cleared physically, most athletes have no problem re-entering the sport arena. However, some athletes may be ready physically, but are not prepared mentally to return, which could result in the following: How Can You Help Mentally Prepare Your Athletes to Return to Play?

How can therapists help athletes recover from sports injuries?

Therapists can help you recover after an injury and overcome fear. Some therapists use a technique called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR. This treatment technique works well in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder outside of sports and is now being used for some athletes after injury.