Exploring Psychological Reactions to Injury in the Australian Football League (AFL)

Abstract

This study explored Australian rules footballers’ psychological responses to injury. This exploratory study was the first in a series of studies planned to examine the injury-related experiences of professional Australian football players. Forty-three professional AFL players from the one team participated in semi-structured interviews. Results provided a detailed account recalled by AFL footballers of their past injury experiences. Specifically, AFL players discussed their initial emotional reactions to injury, which were dependant on the severity of the injury, the extent of isolation during injury, the repetitive nature of the rehabilitation process, and the influence of social support on their reactions.