Perceptions of sport injuries of young elite swimmers

Abstract

Mari Lehtinen, 2012. Perceptions of sport injuries of young elite swimmers. Department of Sport Sciences. University of Jyväskylä. Master’s Thesis of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 64 pages.

Sport injuries occur at all levels of sport. Sport injury can limit or end athlete´s career. It is important to find out ways how sport psychology can prevent and treat sport in juries. This can be done for example, by having impacts on mental and physical capabilities of athletes. Aim was to study rehabilitation process of injured swimmers according to the sport psychology point of view. The aim was to study experiences of elite swimmers during recovery process. Secondly, this study helped to describe and understand possible career ending factors after an injury among young elite swimmers. Study was concluded by interviewing five swimmers from a swimming team. Thematic interviews were done in one week period in Jyväskylä. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by comparing them with other interviews. Main themes in this study were career before injury, psychological changes during injury, resources of rehabilitation and time after injury. Core themes were achievements, reactions to injury, rehabilitation and motivation. Themes in this study were divided into core themes, themes and subthemes. Results suggest that swimmers wish to get more medical and psychological attention after an injury and during a rehabilitation process. Most swimmers had only medical help even if they felt they could use motivational help during rehabilitation process. Stressful situation occur while trying to reach pre injury level. Findings of this research support development for lightened and modified exercises, in order to avoid shoulder abrasion and loss of motivation among young elite swimmers. Advantageously, literature review disclosed multidisciplinary role of a coach as a less studied field, thus creating need for further research.