The Effect of Psychological Response on Recovery of Sport Injury: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

This synthesis highlights the effect that psychological response can have on an injured athlete’s recovery process. More specifically, the literature review examined evidence-based, peer-reviewed research that looked at social support and psychological skills, emotional and psychological evaluation and stressors, and unique issues involving concussions and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The results showed that social support is a very important part of the process in helping athletes return to play and psychological skills can be used effectively to help the recovery process and prevent future injury, Athletes can suffer any one of a number of negative psychological stressors at any point during the recovery process, and athletes can help speed up their recovery process by maintaining positive thinking and adhering to their specific rehabilitation program.