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Sports Behavioral Health Clinic
Not just a physical thing: The psychology of sports injuries and recovery
An athlete’s psychological response to injury can either delay or enhance their physical recovery.
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Research
In collaboration with our colleagues in the Sports Medicine Division, we are exploring the psychological and behavioral health implications of sport participation in young athletes. If you are interested in participating in our research, please email Angie Sala.
Our areas of research include:
Psychology and recovery from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
With the rising rate of ACL injury in younger athletes, we are looking at how psychological factors such as self-esteem, feelings of lost control, and psychological distress may affect athletes’ physical recovery and return to sport after ACL injury.
Related publications
- Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport at 6 Months Is Higher After Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration Than Autograft ACL Reconstruction: Results of a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial (PubMed)
- Effect of Age and Sex on Psychological Readiness and Patient-Reported Outcomes 6 Months After Primary ACL Reconstruction (PubMed)
- Assessing the Impact of Psychological Readiness on Performance and Symmetry in Functional Testing After ACL Reconstruction in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients (PubMed)
- Psychological Factors Associated with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Recovery (PMC)
Athletic identity in youth athletes
How does athletic identity, the degree of an athlete’s personal connection to sport, affect young athletes’ participation in sports activities, risk of injury, and coping strategies?
Related publications
Mental health in specialized athletes
Early sport specialization has become increasingly common among youth athletes and is associated with elevated risk of physical injury and adverse mental health outcomes. Our research examines the impact of early sports specialization on mental health including anxiety, depression, burnout, and maladaptive perfectionism, as well as possible links to harmful behaviors, such as overtraining and disordered eating.
Related publications
Mental skills training
Our team is studying the effectiveness of mental skills training in helping athletes develop mental toughness and coping skills when faced with the pressures and challenges of competitive sports.