Investigating the emotional responses of selected university student-athletes playing through injury
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Export Background: Sports injuries can be emotionally devastating, especially among athletes schooling in African settings. Although there is scarce information, further study on the emotional responses of University Student-athletes playing through injury would strengthen specific return-to-play interventions. Aims and Objectives: The study investigates the emotional responses of University Student-athletes during injury, examining the types of injuries sustained, demographic effects, and the correlation between emotions and mood experiences. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional design study had 71 (mean age of 21.63 ± 2.42, weight = 61.94 ± 12.72, height = 1.68 ± 0.10, and body mass index = 21.80 ± 3.59) University Student-athletes who played in Ghana University Sports Association Games through injury. The Emotional Responses of Athletes to Injury and Profile of Mood States questionnaires that required multiple responses were administered. The total mood disturbance (TMD) of student-athletes playing through injury is determined by their emotions based on the anger and tension experienced. Results: 98.6% were in pain, 83.1% were tensed, 80.3% were frustrated, 77.5% were frightened, 74.6% were angry and discouraged, and 71.8% were shocked. 32.4% used strengthening, 1.4% flexibility, and 66.2% had no exercise regime for rehabilitation. The relationship between TMD and the emotional responses of athletes was significant ([F12,58 = 3.352, P = 0.001], angry [P = 0.047], and tense [P = 0.007]). Conclusion: Younger athletes experience much more negative emotions than older athletes while male athletes feel more relieved than their female counterparts. Psychological interventions should be incorporated into the training of student-athletes to aid in total rehabilitation and return-to-play negative processes.
Source: Saudi Journal of Sports Medicine
Institution: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4392569737