Psychological Factors in Sports Rehabilitation - Research Paper Example

Psychological Factors in Sports Rehabilitation Table of Contents Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….. 3 2. Background of Sports Psychology ………………………………………………... 3 3. Importance of Psychological Factors in Rehabilitation Process …………………...5 4. Strategies used by Psychologists …………………………………………………...7 5. Effectiveness of Psychological approaches ……………………………………….. 9 6. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………….…..10 Introduction: As the study of psychological development has taken place vastly in the last 50 years, scholars have also developed the increasing importance of psychological intervention in sports rehabilitation. The recent studies show that psychological factors are used efficiently in the rehabilitation processes following sports injuries and athletes need various kinds of psychological attitudes that would improve and speed up the rehabilitation process. Thus, the research is focused on the importance of the psychological factors, how effective they are, and what are the methods that are applied to achieve a speedy recovery of the athletes both physically and mentally. Background of Sports Psychology: Athletes are usually considered to be physically strong people who are healthy and strong. It is commonly misunderstood that psychology and sports are two different disciplines but the recent study has proved that sports psychology is an important interdisciplinary approach in dealing with sportsmen and their problems. Psychological factors are highly needed in the area of sports as athletes often have many injuries due to psychological factors rather physical ones (Martin, 2008). There are a significant number of athletic injuries that are caused by physical factors on the field but undoubtedly psychological factors are also identified to have a key role in these injuries. Previously, the causes of sports injuries were not believed to be psychological but in the last three decades, there has been extensive research on the field of sports psychology and researchers now conclude that psychological factors play a vital role in the causing of sports injuries (Martin, 2008). Stress levels are one of the psychological causes of sports injuries as identified by the researchers. There is a keen relationship between the stress levels in life and the rates of injuries taking place. These stress levels can be due to the big changes in life including losing a loved one, getting married, moving to a new city, or an unstable economic status. Research suggests that athletes who have a higher stress level due to the minor or major changes in personal or professional life tend to go through more injuries than a sportsman with lesser stress in his life (Martin, 2008). An athlete, who experiences frequent life changes, has little social support, and few coping skills are greatly exposed to the risk of athletic injuries. Athletes who have a low self-esteem, have higher trait anxiety, or are pessimistic experience more injuries in their sports practices (Martin, 2008). Stress levels are not the only psychological factor that affects injuries. Other factors include personality factors, a history of stressors, or coping resources. They also contribute to higher risk of sports injuries. It was also recorded that the time loss of the sportsmen due to injuries was mainly because of psychological factors as sportsmen tend to be affected by their injuries and their inability to perform (Reese, 2012). After an injury, it becomes very difficult for the sportsmen to return to the sport both physically and psychologically. The sportsmen’s physical and psychological readiness may not always coincide with one another. After serious injuries, psychological recovery often takes much longer than physical recovery (Reese, 2012). Thus, psychological skill is needed to boost the sports-related injury rehabilitation and to help the sportsmen with their psychological issues. The psychological skills that are needed must be based on the individual’s state of mind, position, and the sport in which he is involved. Psychologists are specialized to deal with the sportsmen in rehabilitation after injuries. They use techniques and skills which improve the psychological state of the sportsmen and help them to recover both physically and psychologically. Our psychology controls the functions of our body and our willingness allows us to carry out tasks effectively. Hence, psychological factors are needed as they are highly important to ensure that the morale and willingness of the sportsmen is revived and sustained (Reese, 2012). Importance of Psychological Factors in Rehabilitation Process: The psychological factors in the sports rehabilitation process are highly important. Negative psychological responses often result in a prolonged recovery, which is why psychologists who work with athletes in rehabilitation look for strategies that would improve the overall recovery process. There are several benefits of using these psychological factors that help the sportsmen with their mental and physical state. The first major benefit of using psychological factors is that it helps in controlling the emotions of the sportsmen. Athletes go through several emotions at the time of their injury. As much as they are in pain, they are depressed, frustrated, and also pessimistic about their future. Injuries tend to break the athletes emotionally as they have to spend time in the rehabilitation and stay away from their team for a while. The rehabilitation phase sends athletes to a roller-coaster ride full of negative emotions. Psychological considerations in rehabilitation help them to maintain their emotional stability and not let it carry them away (Brewer, 2009). Another benefit is that a positive psychological support and positive energy around an athlete in rehabilitation improves the outcomes. Positivity around the athlete keeps him happy and motivated towards the recovery process. The rehabilitation process may often be boring and slow for an athlete who is otherwise energetic and lively. A positive atmosphere and a motivating therapy would help the athlete to recover much positively and speedily. Cases and research has proved that athletes who have psychological support in rehabilitation want to recover speedily and they also improve their responses to physical therapies. As the athlete learns to cope with stress, anxiety, anger, and frustration throughout the rehabilitation, it also helps them to speed up their recovery and progression. Negative attitude in contrast can lead the increased risk of psychological instability and a slow recovery. Even if athletes return to the sport with a negative thinking, it will increase the risk for future injuries and issues in performance (Watt, 2005). Another benefit is the removal of fear from the athletes. Fear is a constant and prominent emotion that takes over the athlete once he has suffered a serious injury. Athletes commonly fear about their return to the sport and question their ability to perform well on returning. The fear of being able to play again gives athletes mental pressure and higher stress levels which makes them internally weak. Psychological factors in rehabilitation help the athletes to cope up with their fears and be confident about their future and return to the sport. Athletes may also fear their successful return to the sport for which physiological strategies act as motivators and confidence-boosters (Gallucci, 2013). Lastly, psychological factors are beneficial as they guide and help the athletes to make decisions free from all influences and pressures. These psychologists tend to study the athlete closely and they understand their psychological behaviors. They understand their insecurities, pressures, and willingness. Many athletes have external pressures from their team or managers to return to the sport before fully recovering. Psychologists help athletes to make efficient decisions keeping in mind their physical and psychological recovery. They ensure that the athletes are not pressurized or influenced on doing something that isn’t good for their health. Such pressures may result in chances of re-injury hence psychologists ensure that external pressures don’t influence the athletes to make decisions that would otherwise prove to be harmful. As psychologists understand the psyche of the athletes, they also act as advisors and counselors, and win the trust of athletes (Gallucci, 2013). Strategies used by Psychologists: Psychologists use many strategies to improve the rehabilitation process and speed up the recovery. Several intervention strategies have been advocated by the psychologists and physical trainers in order to help the rehabilitation of athletes. There are four components that are common in all approaches: education, social support, psychological skill training, and goal setting. These approaches are based on the skills and behaviors of many athletes and are a general approach not based on individual attitudes. The education approach consists of information gathering and communication skills. The athletic physical trainers play a key role in this approach as they are the athlete’s primary information source. These athletic trainers are good in translating medical terminologies related to the injury and rehabilitation process into easily understandable terms. This is important as the athlete must understand the cause, consequences, and other psychological reactions related to the injury clearly. The athlete must also be ensured and educated about the recovery and healing process. Athletes cannot be expected to recover from their injury unless they are not clearly and fully aware of what happened to them and what the consequences are. Through this knowledge, the athletes would be able to look closer and gain a sense of control over the injury (Walker, 2013). Psychologists also use athlete’s skills to help them recover from the injury. They use the strong points of the athlete’s personality to motivate them and bring back their self-confidence. The social support approach is the one in which injured athletes are continuously provided a support or assistance. Social support can be categorized in many types including listening, technical challenge, technical appreciations, emotional challenge, emotional support, and shared social reality. These supports are however, provided by different people as one person alone may not be able to provide all types of support. Athletes are exposed to several people who provide them some kind of social support to keep them involved, motivated, and cared for (Kolt, 2007). This strategy includes using people from different walks of life to spend time with athletes and support them. Athletes who have previously recovered from similar injuries may also be called to provide support to the athlete. The psychological skill training includes imagery training, cognitive techniques, and relaxation. Imagery training is effective as it focuses on four types of imagery that helps athletes in their recovery process. Mastery is the type in which athletes are visualized about the successful recovery process and the joy of returning to the sport, coping is the type in which athletes are mentally rehearsing possible problems and situations to see how they would deal with them, emotive is the one in which athletes rehearse giving positive responses to the possible events, and body rehearsal in which athletes imagine the injury and what is happening in the rehabilitation process. Imagery can help in preparing the athletes for the worse situations and reduce their stress and pain (Andersen, 2000). Cognitive techniques include self-talk in which athletes are talked to and heard about what they think about their injury. Knowing the athlete’s inner feelings can help in solving them and helping them change their opinions by giving them an optimistic view. Relaxation is the technique in which athletes are relaxed and psychologically calmed down as they experience great fear, stress, and anxiety. Relaxation is the approach in which techniques are used to increase the blood circulation and leads to effective healing. Relaxation also diverts the attention of the athlete away from tension and worry (Andersen, 2000). Goal setting is the fourth approach used by psychologists as a strategy to help athletes recover. Goal setting enables athletes to be active and take part in different activities. Rehabilitation goals are set and programs are established for physical and psychological training. Many human actions are driven by goals as they help us to be motivated and have an en desire that has to be reached. These goals motivate and activate the athletes to carry out actions and show willingness to recover speedily (Eklund, 2007). Effectiveness of Psychological approaches: Psychological factors and strategies in athlete injury rehabilitation have proven to be highly effective. In the recent years as the subject of sports psychology is introduced, athletes are now well understood and handled at the low times. This field allows psychologists to help athletes with their personal and professional issues. Athletes have a different way of thinking, they have strong emotions, and they develop psychological factors deeply. Psychologists help them with their behaviors and emotions which not only improve their on-field performance but also help them to recover speedily in cases of serious injuries (Taylor, 2005). An athlete needs confidence and strength to play in the field and perform at his best. Research has shown that psychological factors have affected the performance of athletes to a great extent and has proven to be an effective measure to control and sort their emotions. The development on this subject has shown great success and athletic trainers have seen how athletes are being effectively handled by these psychologists. The strategies and approaches used include a wide range of factors that are considered and taken care of. Athletes feel more comfortable and relaxed when they are provided with social and emotional support (Holder, 2009). Every athlete now and then is exposed to a situation in which he is going through a tough psychological situation and even then they have to perform well. Athletes may have high stress levels and pressures for winning and giving their best. These factors may lead to severe consequences on athletes’ performances and risk towards injuries. Stress levels and depression is common among athletes and they may struggle with their mental state if they get into a serious injury (Horn, 2008). Psychologists purely help the athletes and give them an opportunity to overcome their injuries faster and return to their sport successfully. Conclusion: Thus, sports psychology is a scientific study of the behaviors of athletes and it involves practical implementation through approaches and strategies. Psychologists assist and motivate athletes in rehabilitation during their recovery processes and have successfully helped athletes with personal and professional development. Sports psychology has proven to be effective and it speeds up the recovery process. Mental imagery, self-talk, relaxation, educational approaches, and goal setting are all strategies commonly used by psychologists to control and motivate the athletes throughout their rehabilitation process. Sports psychology lowers the chances of emotional break-downs, low morale, and inability to perform successfully after an injury. These psychological factors give athletes motivation, positive outlooks, self-confidence, and encouragement to start their lives again and recover physically and psychologically. References Martin S. (2008). 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