A reversal theory analysis of psychological responses during sports injury rehabilitation.

CONTEXT Few studies have examined psychological and emotional processes in injury rehabilitation from a longitudinal, theoretically framed perspective. OBJECTIVE This study explored the applicability of Reversal Theory to examine these processes. SETTING University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK. PARTICIPANTS Three severely injured athletes; two were female (karate and judo) and one was male (hockey), aged 20 to 28. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Fortnightly interviews after participant's initial consultation with a sports therapist, until complete physical rehabilitation. RESULTS Supported the use of Reversal Theory in this context (eg, as a means of understanding the origins of athletes' emotional responses to injury and changes in these responses throughout rehabilitation). CONCLUSIONS Suggestions for future research are made (eg, examining the consequences of emotional and metamotivational states for athlete behavior and recovery outcomes during rehabilitation).