DOWN BUT NOT OUT - ATHLETE RESPONSES TO SEASON-ENDING INJURIES

This investigation sought to extend the existing scientific literature regarding the role of psychological processes in athletic injury reha bilitation. Specifically, the study examined (a) psychological respons es of injured athletes to season-ending injuries, and (b) long-term be nefits athletes perceived they obtained from their injuries. In-depth interviews were conducted with US Ski Team athletes (N = 21) who exper ienced injuries during racing seasons from 1990 to 1994. The data were analyzed using the content analysis procedures described by Scanlan, Stein, and Ravizza (1989). Relative to athletes' reactions to being in jured, 136 raw data themes were extracted which coalesced into 4 gener al dimensions: (a) injury-relevant information processing/awareness, ( b) emotional upheaval/reactive behavior, (c) positive outlook/coping a ttempts, and (d) other. With respect to injury benefits, 81 raw data t hemes emerged and formed 4 dimensions: (a) personal growth, (b) psycho logically-based performance enhancements, (c) physical-technical devel opment, and (d) none. The results are discussed in relation to existin g models of injury recovery and stress.