The changes in psychological characteristics and reactions of elite athletes from injury onset until full recovery

The purpose of this investigation was to describe the psychological charact eristics and reactions of injured athletes and to examine the changes in th ese reactions throughout their rehabilitation. This study examined 136 elit e injured athletes from 25 sports at four phases: upon injury, partial reco very, semi-recovery, and full recovery. Injury appraisal, athlete's demogra phics, and emotional and psychological variables were measured. Duration of injuries ranged from 4 to 99 weeks (M = 19 weeks). Changes were examined t hrough a series of repeated measure MANOVAs with polynomial contrasts. Find ings were typically as expected: increased confidence and vigor and decreas ed negative emotional responses over the recovery period. The changes over the recovery period were not always at a constant rate, Confidence of adher ing to rehabilitation. passive, and emotion-focused coping, remained stable over time. The initial injury appraisal, regarding anticipated loss of tim e and the psychological impact of this, needs to be examined further, The p sychological state of the athlete at the various stages of recovery has imp ortant implications for those diagnosing injuries and implementing rehabili tation programs.