| Injuries are a common experience for competitive athletes. Injury rehabilitation has traditionally focused on athletes' physical recoveries to achieve pre-injury levels of performance. However, psychological research has found that addressing the psychological impact of injuries on athletes can improve outcomes during the rehabilitation process and increase overall well-being. Injuries that are career-ending are particularly challenging and require athletes to make significant adjustments. Sports add value and meaning to millions of peoples' lives, and more attention must be given to the psychological experience of injury.;The literature review assesses the psychological experiences of injured athletes during the injury onset, physical rehabilitation, and career transition process after a career-ending injury. The author discusses injury prevalence rates, psychological factors that predispose athletes to injury, the psychological impact during various phases of the rehabilitation process, and the challenges of career-ending injuries. It also discusses research on the unique challenges that athletes from underserved, cultural minority backgrounds face after severe and potentially career-ending injuries occur. To supplement these findings, the author interviewed field consultants about their insights into the management of the psychological impact of injuries on competitive athletes. Finally, the author created a booklet to educate athletic department professionals about the challenges injured athletes confront throughout the injury recovery process and about effective strategies to support and communicate with this unique population. |
