Reflections on a Quarter-Century of Research in Sports Medicine Psychology

The three purposes of this paper are to provide reflections on (a) defining a new field of sports medicine psychology, (b) our research examining the genesis and testing of the integrated model of psychological response to the sport injury and rehabilitation process (Wiese-Bjornstal and Smith, 1993), and, (c) future directions for evaluating the model and advancing the field of sports medicine psychology. Illustrations visually summarize components of sports medicine psychology and show the integrated model, while a summary table highlights key findings from over 25 years of research about the integrated model components. Historical perspectives, philosophical dilemmas, conceptual frameworks, research findings, and professional issues interweave in addressing reflections in these three areas.Los tres objetivos de este artículo son el reflexionar sobre (a) la definición d un nuevo campo de la psicología de la medicina del deporte; (b) la investigaciones que han examinado la génesis y la comprobación del modelo psicológico integrado de respuesta a la lesión deportiva y del proceso de readaptación (Wiese-Bjornstal y Smith. 1993), y (c) las futuras direcciones para la evaluación del modelo y para el avance en el campo de psicología de la medicina del deporte. Se han usado ilustraciones para sintetizar visualmente los componentes de la psicología de la medicina del deporte, y para mostrar el modelo integrado, mientras que se resumen en una Tabla los hallazgos clave de los últimos 25 años de investigación acerca de los componentes del modelo integrado. Finalmente, se combinan de forma sinóptica las perspectiva históricas, los dilemas filosóficos, los marcos teóricos, los hallazgos de la investigación y los temas profesionales, con la finalidad de responder a esos tres objetivos.Os três objectivos deste artigo são reflectir sobre (a) a definição de um novo campo da psicologia da medicina desportiva; (b) as investigações que analisaram a génese e a comprovação do modelo integrado de resposta psicológica à lesão desportiva e do processo de reabilitação (Wiese-Bjornstal and Smith. 1993); e (c) as direcções futuras para a avaliação do modelo e para o progresso do campo da psicologia da medicina desportiva. Foram utilizadas ilustrações para sintetizar visualmente os componentes da psicologia da medicina desportiva, e para mostrar o modelo integrado, resumindo-se numa tabela as conclusões chave dos últimos 25 anos de investigação sobre os componentes do modelo integrado. Finalmente, combinam-se de forma sinóptica as perspectivas históricas, os dilemas filosóficos, os marcos teóricos, os resultados da investigação e as questões profissionais, visando responder a esses três objectivos

Religiosity and Ways of Coping With Sport Injuries Among Christian Athletes

Although research evidence supports religiosity’s predominantly positive mental and physical health benefits to patients coping with varied health problems, there are few studies exploring the influence of religiosity on coping with sport injuries among athletes identifying with specific religions. This study examined the relationships between religiosity and the use of religious and non-religious ways of coping with sport injuries by athletes affiliated with diverse Christian denominations. Within a concurrent mixed methods design, adult athletes (N = 88) responded to an online survey asking about several religiosity factors, their most serious or challenging sport injuries, and their ways of coping with those injuries. Quantitative results showed that religious commitment correlated with specific religious beliefs and behaviors, positive religious ways of coping predominated over negative, and religious commitment fully mediated the relationship between athletes’ Christian denominations and their use of positive, but not negative, religious ways of coping with sport injuries. Thematic template analysis of qualitative data similarly revealed that religious ways of coping with sport injuries were predominantly positive in valence and benefitted physical and mental rehabilitation and recovery processes. Christian athletes relied on both religious and non-religious coping sources during their sport injury recoveries, and their ways of coping centered on their personal and religious identities. These results support that holistic care models encompassing sport psychology, sports medicine, and sports ministry should adapt intervention and treatment plans to accommodate personal religiosity and build on positive and adaptive religious ways of coping with sport injuries when working with religiously committed Christian athletes

Proceedings from the Ice Hockey Summit III: Action on Concussion

Objectives The Ice Hockey Summit III provided updated scientific evidence on concussions in hockey to inform these five objectives: (1) describe sport related concussion (SRC) epidemiology, (2) classify prevention strategies, (3) define objective, diagnostic tests, (4) identify treatment and (5) integrate science and clinical care into prioritized action plans and policy. Methods Our action plan evolved from 40 scientific presentations. The 155 attendees (physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, nurses, neuropsychologists, scientists, engineers, coaches and officials) voted to prioritize these action items in the final Summit session. Results (1) establish a national and international hockey data base for SRCs at all levels; (2) eliminate body checking in Bantam youth hockey games; (3) expand a behavior modification program (Fair Play) to all youth hockey levels; (4) enforce game ejection penalties for fighting in Junior A and professional hockey leagues; (5) establish objective tests to diagnose concussion at point of care (POC); and (6) mandate baseline testing to improve concussion diagnosis for all age groups. Conclusions Expedient implementation of the Summit III prioritized action items is necessary to reduce the risk, severity and consequences of concussion in the sport of ice hockey

Reflections on a Quarter-Century of Research in Sports Medicine Psychology

The three purposes of this paper are to provide reflections on (a) defining a new field of sports medicine psychology, (b) our research examining the genesis and testing of the integrated model of psychological response to the sport injury and rehabilitation process (Wiese-Bjornstal and Smith, 1993), and, (c) future directions for evaluating the model and advancing the field of sports medicine psychology. Illustrations visually summarize components of sports medicine psychology and show the integrated model, while a summary table highlights key findings from over 25 years of research about the integrated model components. Historical perspectives, philosophical dilemmas, conceptual frameworks, research findings, and professional issues interweave in addressing reflections in these three areas.Los tres objetivos de este artículo son el reflexionar sobre (a) la definición d un nuevo campo de la psicología de la medicina del deporte; (b) la investigaciones que han examinado la génesis y la comprobación del modelo psicológico integrado de respuesta a la lesión deportiva y del proceso de readaptación (Wiese-Bjornstal y Smith. 1993), y (c) las futuras direcciones para la evaluación del modelo y para el avance en el campo de psicología de la medicina del deporte. Se han usado ilustraciones para sintetizar visualmente los componentes de la psicología de la medicina del deporte, y para mostrar el modelo integrado, mientras que se resumen en una Tabla los hallazgos clave de los últimos 25 años de investigación acerca de los componentes del modelo integrado. Finalmente, se combinan de forma sinóptica las perspectiva históricas, los dilemas filosóficos, los marcos teóricos, los hallazgos de la investigación y los temas profesionales, con la finalidad de responder a esos tres objetivos.Os três objectivos deste artigo são reflectir sobre (a) a definição de um novo campo da psicologia da medicina desportiva; (b) as investigações que analisaram a génese e a comprovação do modelo integrado de resposta psicológica à lesão desportiva e do processo de reabilitação (Wiese-Bjornstal and Smith. 1993); e (c) as direcções futuras para a avaliação do modelo e para o progresso do campo da psicologia da medicina desportiva. Foram utilizadas ilustrações para sintetizar visualmente os componentes da psicologia da medicina desportiva, e para mostrar o modelo integrado, resumindo-se numa tabela as conclusões chave dos últimos 25 anos de investigação sobre os componentes do modelo integrado. Finalmente, combinam-se de forma sinóptica as perspectivas históricas, os dilemas filosóficos, os marcos teóricos, os resultados da investigação e as questões profissionais, visando responder a esses três objectivos

Narratives of Psychosocial Response to Microtrauma Injury among Long-Distance Runners

Athletes with microtrauma or overuse injuries resulting from an accumulation of repeated small forces may differ from athletes with macrotrauma or acute injuries in their psychosocial responses because of the unique challenges presented by these insidious-onset and often chronic injuries. Our purpose was to use narrative inquiry to examine the psychosocial experiences and responses of 10 long-distance runners who had experienced microtrauma injuries. Qualitative data analysis of interview data led to a chronological timeline of the injury experience and an assessment of the meaning attributed to these injury experiences using a variation of Mishler’s core-narrative approach. Participants reported distinct thoughts, feelings, and behaviors during each phase of the injury—pre-injury, injury onset, and outcome. In the pre-injury period, participants indicated specific running-related goals and attributed their injuries to overtraining or a change in training. During the injury onset phase, participants consistently indicated two themes: self-diagnosis and treatment, and not taking time off. Within the outcome phase of injury, participants acknowledged changed training because of the injury, and lessons learned from their injury experiences. The narratives of microtrauma-injured runners revealed psychosocial distress and behavioral tendencies post-injury that have important implications for runners, coaches, and healthcare professionals

50 Years of Research on the Psychology of Sport Injury: A Consensus Statement

Factors influencing sport injury risk, rehabilitation outcomes, and return to sport processes have been the focus in various research disciplines (sports medicine, psychology and sociology). One discipline, with over 50 years of scholarship, is the psychology of sport injury. Despite the research in this field, there is no evidence-based consensus to inform professional practice. The aim of this original and timely consensus statement is to summarise psychological sport injury research and provide consensus recommendations for sport practitioners seeking to implement psychological principles into clinical practice. A total of seven experts with extensive experience outlined the consensus objectives and identified three psychology of sport injury sub-domains: risk, rehabilitation and return to sport. The researchers, grouped in pairs, prepared initial drafts of assigned sub-domains. The group met in Stockholm, and the three texts were merged into a draft and revised in an iterative process. Stress responses are the strongest psychological risk factor for acute injuries. Intra- and interpersonal factors, as well as sociocultural factors, are demonstrated psychosocial risk factors for overuse injuries. Stress management and mindfulness interventions to prevent injuries have been successfully implemented. The rehabilitation process may influence athlete’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural responses. Social support, mindfulness, acceptance-based practices, and cognitive-behavioural based intervention programs reduce negative reactions. Return to sport includes various stages and different trajectories. Returning athletes typically experience concerns regarding competence, autonomy, and relatedness. It is recommended that athletes focus on the physical, technical, and psychological demands of their sport as they progress to increasingly intense activities. Interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., sports medicine and psychology) would be beneficial in enhancing clinical practice and improving athlete outcomes

Evaluating the dynamic model of psychological response to sport injury and rehabilitation

Authors of the integrated model of psychological response to the sport injury and rehabilitation process (Wiese-Bjornstal, Smith, Shaffer, & Morrey, 1998) conceptualized sport injury as influenced by preinjury psychosocial factors (Williams & Andersen, 1998), acting as a negative life event stressor, and comprising a dynamic process of ongoing cognitive appraisals influencing emotional and behavioral responses affecting recovery outcomes (Wiese-Bjornstal, 2009; 2010; Wiese-Bjornstal, Smith, & LaMott, 1995). The purpose of this project was to simultaneously examine these three primary model components and associated predictions while controlling for within team and school-related factors through repeated measures sampling of injured and noninjured teammates. Within a prospective mixed factorial study design, NCAA Division I male and female athletes (N = 74) from four sports (women\u27s softball, track and field, and tennis, and men\u27s baseball) completed multiple psychosocial measures at repeated time points from baseline to postseason. Results supported (a) the ability of psychosocial variables to predict sport injury, (b) conceptualizing sport injury as a stressor, and, (c) the role of affect as a precursor and response to sport injury. A unique aspect to this study was reflected in the matching of psychological data from injured and noninjured teammates during the specific weeks in which injuries occurred, thus controlling for non-injury related factors such as team and school related variables that may have influenced the mood state and life event stress of all athletes on the teams aside from injury. Furthermore, this study lends support to the idea that negative mood states are not only responses to but also risk factors for sport injury, and thus provides grounding for identifying psychological interventions to ameliorate negative moods. © 2012 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved