Competitive athletes' psychological and emotional experiences of injury rehabilitation: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Sporting injuries have a psychological impact on competitive athletes, though most research focusses on the time of injury and returning to play. A greater understanding of the impact of injury rehabilitation programs on athletes is required. This scoping review synthesised the current peer-reviewed literature on the psychological and emotional experiences of competitive athletes undergoing injury rehabilitation.

METHOD

A systematic search of the PsycInfo, SportDiscus, MEDLINE, and Scopus electronic databases was conducted using keywords relating to psychology, rehabilitation, athletes, and injuries from January 1980 to April 2024. Studies that focussed on mental or psychological wellbeing during injury rehabilitation among competitive athletes aged ≥18 years who had suffered a musculoskeletal or soft-tissue injury were eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

In total, 64 studies were included, with 61% using a cross-sectional design. There was considerable variability in the definitions of injuries, competitive athletes, and injury severity in the included studies. The results highlighted the injury rehabilitation process is an emotional experience and while minimal psychological support was offered during rehabilitation, the level of social support received by athletes may positively and/or negatively impact their experience. Numerous coping strategies used during rehabilitation were identified, including goal setting.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that despite injury rehabilitation resulting in a range of emotions for athletes, minimal psychological support is offered, though positive social support can benefit experiences. Due to significant variation in definitions, including injury severity, it is difficult to draw consistent conclusions about athletes' rehabilitation experiences. Future research should explore dynamic responses to injury throughout rehabilitation where possible. This information is critical for supporting competitive athletes' mental or psychological wellbeing during injury rehabilitation.

© 2025. The Author(s).