Barriers to and possibilities of returning to play after a severe soccer injury: a qualitative study

Abstract

Soccer is the biggest sport in the world, resulting in a large number of injuries occurring in this game. Many soccer players today are ready physically, but not mentally, to return to play. The aim of this study was to investigate injured players’ perception of their time after a sports injury has occurred. The study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Eight soccer players, four male and four female, aged 14–25 years, were interviewed individually. The material was analysed using manifest content analysis. The participants reported on various psychological aspects that affected them both positively and negatively during the rehabilitation period. Individual factors included the injured players’ reaction, motivation and fear. Situational factors, such as their coach, the team, their family and the physiotherapist, also influenced the participants. In conclusion, several psychological factors affect young soccer players’ perception of rehabilitation after a severe injury. This study found that support from the team and the coach is often lacking in a soccer player’s rehabilitation.

Keywords:

• Content analysis
• psychological factors
• sports rehabilitation

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Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.