Syllabus approved by UCC: 2/23/12

LockHavenUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Sport Studies Department

Psychology of Athletic Injury and Recovery

  1. Introductory Information
  1. Department Name:Sport Studies
  2. Department Catalog Number: SPRT 6XX
  3. Course Title:Psychology of Athletic Injury and Recovery
  4. Semester Hours of Credit: 3
  5. Clock Hours Per Week: 3
  6. Overlays: None
  7. Restrictions Upon Student Registration: Graduate student in Sport Science program or permission of instructor. Graduate course provisions apply.
  1. Description of the Course
  1. Catalog description: An examination of psychological theories and applied considerations related to athletic injuries and the subsequent rehabilitation of the physically active. Emphasis placed on the psychosocial antecedents to athletic injury and factors related to the psychological experience and treatment of the injured athlete and athlete in transition.
  1. Comprehensive description:An examination of psychological theories and applied considerations related to athletic injuries and the subsequent rehabilitation of the physically active. Emphasis placed on the psychosocial antecedents to athletic injury and factors related to the psychological experience and treatment of the injured athlete and athlete in transition. Students will be required to assess theories related to athletic injury and transition, synthesize existing research on psychological response to athletic injury and design of a rehabilitation program grounded in existing theory and research and integrating strategies for effective adherence.
  1. Exposition

A.Objectives: Upon successful completion of course, students will be able to do the following:

  1. evaluate psychological factors that affect rehabilitation, adherence, compliance, and return to play including personal and athletic identity and personality correlates;
  1. interpret theories on injury and rehabilitation, as well as counseling models as they relate to injury;
  2. discriminate roles of key figures in the rehabilitation process including athlete’s social support network;
  3. evaluate the effectiveness of motivation, confidence, relaxationand imagery techniques for rehabilitation and pain management;
  4. structure a mental skills training program to accompany a rehabilitation program consistent with theory and research on stages of grief and motivation in injury and rehabilitation integrating motivation, confidence, relaxationand imagery techniques;
  5. appraise signs and symptoms of a malingering patient/athlete;
  6. appraise theories related to fear of re-injury and integrate into rehabilitation programs;
  7. discriminate symptoms of anxiety and depression related to injury; and
  8. assessneed to refer athletes/patients for counseling and refer accordingly.
  1. Activities and Requirements: The graduate student will do the following:
  1. participate in all large group, small group and partner threaded discussions on topics such as malingering among athlete populations; fear of re-injury and its impact on adherence and compliance with rehabilitation, and psychological readiness for return to play and
  2. complete all class assignments including, but not limited to, a) a critical assessment of theories related to athletic injury and transition, b) a synthesis of existing research on psychological response to athletic injury and summary of gaps in the research, and c) the design of a mental skills training program to accompany a rehabilitation program grounded in existing theory and research and integrating strategies for effective adherence including motivation, confidence, relaxation and imagery techniques.
  1. Major Units and Time Allotted 45hours
  1. Adherence to Rehabilitation(5 hours)
  2. Personal Identity(4 hours)
  3. Athletic Identity(3 hours)
  4. Personality Correlates of Injury/Illness Rehabilitation(3 hours)
  5. Models/Theories of Injury and Counseling(5 hours)
  6. Social Support(3 hours)
  7. Pain Management(3 hours)
  8. Confidence/Motivation (3 hours)
  9. Goal Setting(3 hours)
  10. Relaxation Techniques (3 hours)
  11. Mental Imagery(2 hours)
  12. The Malingering Patient(3 hours)
  13. Fear of Re-injury(2 hours)
  14. Referral for Psychological Services(3 hours)
  1. Materials and Bibliography

1. Suggested textbooks

Pargman, D. (2007). Psychological bases of sport injuries(3rded.).Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology.

2. Other materials

None.

3. Bibliographic support

Anshel, M. (2003). Sport psychology: From theory to practice(4th ed.).San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.

Berger, B., Pargman D.Weinberg, R. (2006). Foundations of exercise psychology. Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology.

Cox, R. (2007). Sport psychology: Concepts and applications(6th ed.).Boston,MA: McGraw Hill.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(4th ed.).(2000).Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Mensch, J.Miller, G. (2008). The athletic trainer’s guide to psychosocial intervention and referral. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Incorporated.

Taylor, J.Taylor,S. (1997). Psychological approaches to sports injury rehabilitation. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publication.

Weinberg, R. (2009). Foundations of sport and exercise psychology (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Wilbanks, D. (2009). Applied psychology in health care. St. Louis, MI: Delmar Cengage Learning.

Williams, J. (2010). Applied sport psychology(6th ed.). Mountain ViewCA: Mayfield.

  1. Standards

All grades will be assigned in accordance with University policy and based on criteria to include participation and completion of assignments.

  1. Rationale and Impact

A.This course will support the new Master of Science in Sport Science.

B.This course is a requirement for students in the Sport and Exercise Psychology track and is consistent with the coursework requirements for certification through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. It is an elective for those in the Sport Administration track.

C.This course will have no impact on other programs or departments.

  1. Cost and Staff Analysis

A.This course is intended to be offered during the summer and, as such, will not impact faculty load during the regular academic year.

B.This course is intended to be offered once per calendar year.

VII.Relationship among Course, Program, and University Student Learning Outcomes for SPRT6XX: Psychology of Athletic Injury and Recovery

Course Learning Outcomes (Objectives)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following: / Program
Student Learning Outcomes / University
Student Learning Outcomes
evaluate psychological factors that affect rehabilitation, adherence, compliance, and return to play including personal and athletic identity and personality correlates / 5. Formulate a strong understanding of the influence of multiple key psychological factors on sport and exercise experiences
9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness
interpret theories on injury and rehabilitation, as well as counseling models as they relate to injury / 5. Formulate a strong understanding of the influence of multiple key psychological factors on sport and exercise experiences
9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness
discriminate roles of key figures in the rehabilitation process including athlete’s social support network / 5. Formulate a strong understanding of the influence of multiple key psychological factors on sport and exercise experiences
9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness
evaluate the effectiveness of motivation, confidence, relaxation and imagery techniques for rehabilitation and pain management / 5. Formulate a strong understanding of the influence of multiple key psychological factors on sport and exercise experiences
9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness
structure a mental skills training program to accompany a rehabilitation program consistent with theory and research on stages of grief and motivation in injury and rehabilitation integrating motivation, confidence, relaxation and imagery techniques / 9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Communication - Written
Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness
appraise signs and symptoms of a malingering patient/athlete / 5. Formulate a strong understanding of the influence of multiple key psychological factors on sport and exercise experiences
9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness
appraise theories related to fear of re-injury and integrate into rehabilitation programs / 5. Formulate a strong understanding of the influence of multiple key psychological factors on sport and exercise experiences
9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness
discriminate symptoms of anxiety and depression related to injury / 5. Formulate a strong understanding of the influence of multiple key psychological factors on sport and exercise experiences
9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness
assess need to refer athletes/patients for counseling and refer accordingly / 9. Determine the psychological factors that increase one’s risk of injury/ illness and how to prevent these; delineate one’s response to injury/illness and appropriate coping measures; and analyze issues and theories of transition, notably athletic retirement
10. Generate a mental skills training plan for an injured athlete or athlete in transition / Critical Thinking: Information Literacy
Knowledge – Social Sciences
Wellness

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