Injury and Its Psychological Impact

Injury and Its Psychological Impact: Tools for Recovery and Resilience

By Mairen H. Lawson, Felt Sense Intern (Undergrad Psychology Student)

More Than a Physical Injury

Injury is at the forefront as one of the most common setbacks athletes face. Rather than just physical pain, it often takes a huge mental toll on athletes and affects their overall well-being. It is difficult to be sidelined due to injury; after all, an athlete’s sport has become the center of their world. It is a huge part of identity, and once that’s gone, it is difficult to move forward.

Last year I suffered a traumatic injury during competition. I landed face-first into the ground while competing in a cycling event. I came out of it mostly unscathed, other than suffering from two chipped teeth and stitches; things could have been much worse. However, even though I was only out for a few weeks compared to other athletes, I still face difficulties when competing due to the trauma I experienced. This could also be the case for many athletes who try to block out significant events and pretend they did not happen, but struggle to meet their full potential because of it.

The Psychological Impact

Professional athletes often experience fear of losing their contract, sponsors, or standing in their sport. Amateur athletes are likely to  feel socially isolated from their peers, struggle academically, experience a reduction in self-esteem, and a loss of identity.

Post-injury, there is also the looming fear of re-injury that athletes experience. This affects an athlete’s confidence and overall performance. It puts pressure on them to hold back or make more mistakes. The recovery process is often quite stressful for athletes because it requires a great deal of patience, persistence, and motivation to become strong again.

Athletes have many options for dealing with injury, such as a physical therapist, team doctor, or chiropractor who can help address many of these issues and develop a rehabilitation program. However, mental health often takes a huge nosedive from injury, and it is something that is often unnoticed and still not addressed as much as it should be (Deokar, 2025).

Research has shown that athletes are at risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and may eventually quit sports altogether (Johnson & Ivarsson, 2025).

My Experience with Injury and Recovery

After the injury I experienced in competition last year, it not only destroyed my confidence but caused me to become more fearful and anxious about the future. This thought was constantly in the back of my mind every time I went to compete: “I’m scared it will happen again.” The event became ingrained in me to the point where I would become too anxious and tentative in competition.

Many athletes have faced similar experiences; however, they are not often talked about because athletes try to remain strong, overcome adversity on their own, and avoid feeling embarrassed about their situation.

For the longest time I also felt this way and believed I could eventually overcome the trauma. I found myself in a cycle where I remained tentative and anxious at races. I knew it was something I needed to address.

After starting therapy, I found a healthy way to process my thoughts and feelings and approach competition differently than before. I have learned that it is normal to have these feelings of anxiety, and there is no shame in them. It simply depends on how I approach each situation I come across. I have started to gain my confidence back because of therapy.

It is important that we continue to advocate for mental health for athletes because it is a key component of performance, but also of how we live our lives in general.

Staying in the Game: Daily Habits During Recovery

Being sidelined causes a huge disruption in athletic identity. Many athletes do not have hobbies outside of their sport, so it can become difficult to stay motivated while dealing with injury. By creating a routine to follow, this will not only help with motivation but also with emotional regulation.

• Train your mind! Visualization, such as seeing yourself competing at your full potential, mindfulness exercises, and positive self-talk can help athletes transition back to sport.
• Prioritize sleep and recovery. Just because you are off the field does not mean you should be sleeping less! Staying consistent will help with long-term recovery.
• Remain active within limits. Depending on the severity of injury, give cross-training a try!
• Stay connected. You may be unable to play, but you are still a member of the team. Showing up to games or practices to give support or insight can help with feelings of isolation.
• Journaling. Write down any unpleasant thoughts or feelings that come up during the recovery process. Tracking your overall progress can help you stay grounded. If you are unsure where to start, writing down who, what, when, where, and why can help narrow down key details from your experiences and allow you to process them more effectively.
• “Stay where your feet are.” So many athletes get caught up in results or outcomes, which can cause them to lose focus and their love of sport. It is important to live in the moment and, rather than fixate on results, simply enjoy what you do.

Return to Play

Just because an athlete is medically cleared does not mean they are ready to compete. The memory of the injury could still be on replay, lingering in their minds because, rather than addressing it, the memory was pushed away. However, when it comes time to play, they may not be at their full potential, especially if competition triggers the memory.

It is important to continue advocating for mental health in athletes because it is also a huge component of performance and well-being. Many things go unnoticed because we are too caught up in what we see on the outside rather than what’s going on in someone’s head.

Your head can either make you or break you. You can be physically stronger than everyone else, but your mind is weak. It throws hurtful words at you:

“You are not good enough.”

“You need to be stronger.”

“This is too hard.”

“What if I get hurt again?”

It does not stop until you have given up the fight.

This is where strong support systems are essential for athletes. Successfully returning to play requires more than physical recovery; athletes need to rebuild trust in their bodies, strengthen their mental resilience, and gain closure from their experiences. It is important for coaches to have awareness when it comes to injury and be able to recognize it before it starts. Athletes may also find solace in connecting with others who have experienced similar situations, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey.

Beyond Returning to Sport

The question we should be asking is:

“How do we know if athletes are mentally ready to return to competition, not just physically cleared?”

Athletes will return to sport when they genuinely feel ready, not because they need to “feel like an athlete again.” If their primary motivation is to maintain their identity as an athlete, they will appear motivated to come back but not be psychologically ready.

This is why athletes are encouraged to find other outlets besides sports and utilize different tools and routines in their daily lives. It allows them to form an identity outside of being an athlete.

Athletes who invest time in hobbies, academics, careers, creative interests, or relationships can better deal with setbacks because their sense of self does not depend entirely on their athletic ability. When athletes build a well-rounded identity and prioritize both physical and mental recovery, they are more likely to return to sport with greater confidence, resilience, and a healthier relationship with their sport in the long run.

Sources

Deokar, R. S. (2025). Psychological effects of sports injuries on athletes. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.44850

Johnson, U., & Ivarsson, A. (2025). The psychological dimensions of sports injury risk: Models, mechanisms, and interventions. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1690064. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1690064