Jill Tracey

The Emotional Response to the Injury and Rehabilitation Process

The present investigation examined the emotional response to the injury and rehabilitation process. Qualitative methods were used to uncover the emotional experience of injured athletes through thick description provided in multiple in-depth interviews, to gain an understanding of the psychological recovery from athletic injury, and consequently, to better assist injured athletes during their rehabilitation process. Participants were 10 university student-athletes from 2 Division III institutions in the northeastern U.S. who had sustained a moderate to severe injury. Participants were interviewed 3 times; onset of injury, 1 week post-injury, and 3 weeks post-injury; they responded to a series of writing stems on each occasion. The investigation centered on the interplay of cognitions and affect expressed, and the emotional experience of the injured athlete. Themes that emerged highlighted the fluctuations in emotions characterized by feelings of loss, decreased self-esteem, frustration, and anger. Thoughts and affect changed over time to view the injury as a challenge which participants approached with a positive attitude. The experience of the participants was acknowledged as a process in which they learned about themselves and the many emotions involved with being injured. Understanding the complexity of the experience can help researchers and practitioners assist injured athletes by facilitating a more effective recovery.

Benefits and Usefulness of a Personal Motivation Video: A Case Study of a Professional Mountain Bike Racer

Video has been incorporated into coaching and sport performance for skill development and as a feedback instrument. The purpose of the study was to examine the perceived usefulness and benefits such as enhanced motivation, concentration, and anxiety management of using a personal motivation video (PMV). A PMV is a video with music personally created for the athlete. The participant was a 23-year-old male professional mountain bike racer. Data from open-ended interviews and evaluation forms were examined. Results indicated the PMV to be particularly useful for motivation, mental imagery, confidence and emotional management, and concentration. PMVs can be a creative and useful tool for sport psychology researchers and practitioners to apply imagery in a unique way. Recommendations for improvements to the PMV for future use are highlighted, as well as suggestions for future research and applications are presented.

A Lifetime of Healthy Meaningful Movement: Have We Forgotten the Athletes?

Researchers and theorists offer a strong base of research in physical activity for high risk groups, particularly sedentary children, adults, and the elderly. Little research examines the lifelong healthy movement behaviors of former competitive athletes. This paper raises some important questions relevant to this population, in particular the disturbing, yet limited research pointing to a serious failure of former competitive athletes to necessarily live longer, healthier, and more physically active lives. The scarce research that seems to highlight this neglected problem is outlined and hypotheses that may contribute to this phenomenon are offered and categorized in the following three sections: atypical physical behaviors found in the sporting realm, utilitarian uses of physical activity, and the long-term consequences of athletic identity. Suggestions are offered to direct future research and to implement practical intervention strategies and educational programs.

Expert coaches' perceptions of athlete performance optimization.

The purpose of the study was to engage expert coaches in a reflective process exploring their perceptions of distinguishing features of athletes they consider optimal performers. Fifteen national and/or Olympic level coaches were interviewed. Developed through a content analysis of the data, elite coach descriptions provided a preliminary profile of elite athlete performance optimization centred on five main themes: a rational approach to training and performance; exhibiting sustained passion and commitment to details; ownership of the elite athletic experience; embracing challenge and complexity of elite athletic contexts; and employing a big (moral) picture view of sport and life. Discussion focuses on highlighting the features of performance optimizing athletes using the proposed concept of ‘mature competitiveness’.

Physical Activity in Former Competitive Athletes: The Physical and Psychological Impact of Musculoskeletal Injury

ABSTRACT Although competitive athletes exceed recommendations for physical activity while they are competing in sport, this does not necessarily translate into regular physical activity after retirement from sport. Research suggested the nature of competitive sport participation may not be conducive to lifelong physical activity. We propose one element of competitive sport participation that may impede physical activity post-retirement is injury. We propose that Vela and Denegar’s model of transient disablement in the physically active with musculoskeletal injuries (DPA) may be appropriate to examine the long-term consequences of sport-related injury—particularly with respect to physical activity disablement. Based on our review of literature, we propose the physical and psychological effects of injuries in sports present unique long-term barriers to physical activity in former competitive athletes. Future research could use the DPA as a foundation for assessing the long-term implications of sport-related injuries—particularly with respect to physical activity.