For any athlete, the path to success is rarely a straight line. It’s often filled with unexpected twists and turns, with one of the most formidable being injury.
The recent Women’s Euros saw England defender Lucy Bronze admit after the Lionesses’ win that she had been playing the entire tournament on a fractured leg. Ellen White responded to the news by saying, “to say she has just won a major tournament on a fractured tibia, that is not normal. That pain must have been insane and she smashed that ball in for the Sweden game.”
Whilst on one hand this is a testament to Bronze’s incredible drive and resilience in remaining committed to playing, it also speaks the level of fear which athletes face around injuries.
The fact is that injuries are a very common part of sport. Research by UK Sport found that, “Injury data has shown that 43% of athletes will get at least one injury per season, some suffering multiple injuries, with each injury causing on average 17 days lost to training and 1 competition to be missed. The rate (incidence) and severity of injury occurring during training are lower than during competition.”
However, it is only recently that people are exploring what effect this can have on athlete mental health- looking not just at the physical damage and recovery required, but also the psychological.
For example, Podium Analytics are conducting a study to examine the psychological impact of injury on young athletes specifically. Their initial inquiries show, “that young people would welcome guidance from coaches, families and peers to cope with challenges such as anxiety, loss of self-identity and pressure to resume sport before full recovery. At the same time, our work with stakeholders in sport governance revealed a lack of guidance for coaches on dealing with injury-related psychological distress.”
At any age, an athlete’s identity can be so deeply intertwined with their physical capability that an injury can feel like more than just a physical setback; it can feel like a profound loss. The road to recovery is long and arduous, demanding not only physical rehabilitation but also immense mental fortitude.
If coaches are not adequately trained to address these aspects of injury recovery, then positive outcomes may be far harder to achieve.
This is where the power of sport mentoring becomes invaluable, offering a crucial support system that builds resilience and guides athletes through the darkest moments of their careers. This may be toward a triumphant comeback, or equally to discovering what new horizons are available when a return is not possible. Either way, a sport mentor can be a valuable lifeline for figuring out what the road to recovery will look like.
The Psychological Impact of Injury
The initial diagnosis of an injury can be a devastating blow.
Sports Injury Bulletin describe how “Athletes often experience negative emotions like frustration, isolation, irritation, denial, sadness, and anger after injury. From there, they may experience a range of psychological responses such as identity loss, reduced confidence, fear of reinjury, and performance concerns. These emotional and psychological concerns can be challenging to overcome throughout rehabilitation.”
Injury signals a halt to training, competition, and the pursuit of key goals. UKCP also point out, “there are also physiological effects because the endorphins released by someone training most days will no longer be produced, sometimes resulting in low mood and even depression.”
For many, this period can also become a time of identity crisis. The athlete’s identity, so carefully built through years of training and competition, is suddenly stripped away. They are no longer defined by their performance on the field but by their injury. This shift can be disorienting and lead to a significant loss of self-worth.
Additionally, athletes may feel isolated as their teammates continue to train and compete while they are on the sidelines. The fear of being forgotten, of losing their spot on the team, or of never returning to their previous form can be overwhelming. The scenario which many athletes fear most is that of a career-ending injury.
As Irwin Mitchell reflect, it is vital to recognise, “the unique mental health challenges faced by athletes with career-ending injuries… various support systems are emerging to address their needs. Sports organisations, athlete associations, and mental health professionals are working collaboratively to provide specialised support, including counselling, therapy, and career transition guidance.”
Psychological stress can hinder the physical recovery process, creating a vicious cycle where mental well-being and physical healing are at odds. Clearly then, having specialised support available is a key part of the recovery process.
Specialised Support
A sport mentor can be a lifeline during these challenging times, providing emotional and psychological support that complements the physical rehabilitation process. Mentors, particularly those who have experienced similar setbacks, can provide empathy and understanding in a way that others cannot. They can share their own stories of struggle and triumph, reminding the athlete that they are not alone and that recovery is possible.
One of the most important roles of a mentor is to help the athlete reframe their situation. Instead of viewing the injury as an end, a mentor can help the athlete see it as a temporary pause, and even an opportunity for growth in other areas. This might include developing leadership skills from the sidelines, focusing on mental training, or even exploring new interests outside of their sport.
For example, Mental Health UK suggest, “Do something which challenges you in a different way that could also benefit you as an athlete – for example, playing an instrument uses a different part of your brain, creating new neural pathways and increasing creative thinking, which can be leveraged in your sport if something unpredictable happens during a game.”
By shifting the perspective from what has been lost to what can be gained, the mentor empowers the athlete to take control of their own narrative and actively participate in the recovery process.
Self-Defined Recovery
The journey back from injury is a phased process, and sport mentors can provide guidance at each stage. Initially, the mentor can act as a sounding board, helping the athlete process their emotions and set realistic expectations for their recovery (whether this is geared towards a return to competitive form, or dealing with the reality of a career-ending situation).
They can help the athlete create a structured plan, breaking down the seemingly monumental task of rehabilitation into manageable, daily goals. This sense of structure and progress is vital for helping re-establish a sense of control over the situation, maintaining motivation and preventing the mentee from feeling overwhelmed.
As the athlete progresses through physical therapy, and potentially begins to reintegrate into training, the mentor’s role evolves. They become a source of accountability and encouragement, celebrating each victory and providing a steady presence during setbacks. During this time, the mentor can also help to develop coping strategies, such as practicing visualisation techniques, whilst the mentee works towards rebuilding their confidence.
For athletes approaching a full return to competition, their sport mentor can help them to navigate the pressure and anxiety that often accompany a comeback around the fear of re-injury, and the pressure to perform. Similarly, for those who are making the transition to new opportunities, their mentor can help them with the stress around redefining their identity, restructuring their goals, and dealing with the opinions of others.
Takeaway
Investing in sport mentor training is not just about helping athletes get back on the field. The specialised support which they can provide helps athletes to build long lasting resilience and coping mechanisms that will serve them in all aspects of their lives. An injury may be a setback, but with the right guidance, it can become a powerful catalyst for personal growth and a defining moment in an athlete’s journey.
To learn more about Sport Mentor Training, check out our available courses today.