Sports Psychology

Unit 9

2. Athletes Reaction to Injury

Treatment of injury requires attending both ______ and ____________________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 ____________

An injury is any physical challenge that interferes with performance and can be devastating

3. Psychological Reactions

Reactions depend on:Athletes ________________of the injuries severity

How injury interferes with peak performance

Athlete themselves- reactions vary considerably from athlete to athlete

Emotional reactions are caused by:__________associated with tissue damage

Amount of_______________ focused on injury

4. Psychological Components

All physical injuries have a psychological responses

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

Anxiety about _______________

Anxiety about ________________

Anxiety about their return to play

5. Psychological Phases

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

Phases can occur in different ______________

Phases can occur with varying degrees of ______

In some cases one or more phases may be omitted

These reactions are normal and athlete must be allowed to_____________________

Five Psychological Phases

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

7. Denial Phase

After a sudden injury the athlete will commonly deny the _____________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

8. Anger Phase

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

Anger is toward themselves, those around them, and______________________

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

9. Bargaining Phase

After anger subsides – reality and severity set in they begin to have doubts and fears about injury

Athlete is trying to establish _________________ situation.

Bargaining may be reflected by pressure put on therapy staff to “work miracles” and get them back to participation.

10. Depression Phase

As athlete becomes aware of the length of time necessary for healing then depression sets in.

In cases of an athlete’s first severe injury depression may be very severe.

________________and lose of desire for food may occur.

Patience is critical

11. Acceptance Phase

Gradually athlete begins to feel less depressed and isolated and becomes resigned to the situation.

Athlete will apply _____________to rehabilitate.

Athlete will accept limitation and focus on getting back to participation.

12.Pain denial or Loss of function

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

Tolerate high____________

Apparently believe it is to their advantage not to acknowledge discomfort

Watch athletes carefully to try to ___________of injury

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

13. Injury as a relief

Athletes who view injury as a source of reliefSome athletes would rather be injured than compete

Injury can provide a ____________________reason to avoid the pressure to succeed

Discussing athletes perception of situation and reaction to pressure may be helpful

Athlete may need help learning to perceive the competitive situation as ____________and more of an opportunity

14. Intervention Skills

Communication

Encourage______________

_______________

Maintaining Team Associations

_____________Skills

Visual Imagery

Positive Self-Talk

15. Communication

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

Evaluate often

Do not neglect their __________________by trying to cheer them up or ignoring their feelings

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

16. 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__________________Outline _____________used in the treatmentMake responsible predictions of athletes prognosis and return to competition to improve cooperation

17. Goal Setting

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

Measure________________

Break programs into small sub goals so that improvement is more________

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

Build rewards into reaching goals

18. Maintain Team Association

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

___________based on team membership become threatened

Team Association keeps injured athletes ________ to return from fading

Must keep involved with teamLight workouts

Assist with coaching or managerial tasks

19.Relaxation Skills

________healing

________blood flow

Help work through ______

3 techniquesFocused relaxed breathing

Progressive muscle relaxation

Meditation

20. Focused, relaxed breathing

Lessen pain

Reduce muscular resistance in range of motion movements

21. 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

22. 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”

23. 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

24. Meditation

Technique used in culture dating back nearly 3000 years

Many consider meditation to be an________ rather than a process

Not only relaxation, but individual’s capacity for

______________________

Can reduce mental anxiety, muscular tension, and create a climate for___________________

25. Effects of Meditation

Use up to _______oxygen

Produce less____________

Slower respiratory rate

Decreased resting heart rate

Decreased blood pressure

Brain waves that are associated with the relaxed mental state increase

26. Meditation Techniques

Focus on a constant mental stimulus such as:_______________repeated silently or audibly,

A sound or a_____________

Perhaps a gaze steadily at some object

_______________________as they come into consciousness and return to focus of attention

27. Meditation Techniques

Position in a comfortable position

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

A ____________is essential

Once fully physically relaxed, the process can begin

28.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

29. Visual Imagery

Imagination rules the world!!!!

The imagination can greatly influence their response to an injury

Athletes can be taught to control:_____________to direct tem productively

Reduce____________

Aid in ____________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 _________________________and regaining full movement

It is not unusual for athletes to have __________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

31. Positive Self-Talk

Helpful in moving through the grieving process and focusing on recovery

Use _____________________and have athletes verbally encourage and reward themselves for their efforts and progress

32. Overtraining, Staleness and Burnout

Stress refers to a change

Stress is not all bad, nor is it all good

Sports participation serves as a_____________

Training too ________________without proper rest is overtraining

Athletes who undergo ____________can become stale and burnt out

33. Overtraining Signs

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

Changes in an athlete’s_______________

Changes in an athletes_______________________

Psychosomatic complaints and decrease in intensity

________in the practice climate of the team- increased small overuse injuries

34.Staleness

Loss of___________________, and successful performance

Attributed to a variety of influences_________________or extended seasons

_____________in practice and program structure

_______________________and physical or controlling

High and constant levels of_________________

Poor eating habits

35.Staleness

Staleness may be the beginning of_________

Often a result of________________

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

36. Symptoms to Staleness

____________in performance

Chronic fatigue

__________

Loss of appetite

Indigestion

______________

High BP/Pulse at rest and at exercise

Inability to sleepIrritability and restlessness___________and depressionHas to force self to practice________of boredomDifficulty concentrating

37.Prevent Staleness

__________________breaks in routine

Allow athletes to have more _____________of decisions that affect them

Decrease ___________and stressful demands

Provide a supportive and caring environment

Sufficient attention to complaints and small injuries

______________skills- goal setting, relaxation, mental practices, positive self talk

38. Burnout

State of physical, mental and emotional environment

Ability to cope with minor daily frustrations _________and ability to cope with major problems are____________

Loss of _____________and interest

Can become extremely dangerous in terms of _______and ___________in terms of performance

39. Symptoms of Burnout

Exhaustion

___________

Emotional detachment

Psychosomatic complaints

_____________

40.Treatment for Burnout

Takes more drastic steps than staleness

Should be ______________________________or clinical counselor

___________from activity and environment

_________________counseling

The End

Any questions???