Citation

Qin HH, Zhang LW, Robert J S, Cole E G. Psychol. Sport Exer. 2023; 69: e102465.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102465

PMID

37665916

Abstract

This qualitative study was focused on two objectives: to explore (a) Chinese elite athletes' perceptions of their rehabilitation experiences after severe acute injuries, and (b) support strategies facilitating their return to competition. We interviewed 10 Chinese elite athletes through a semi-structured interview guide consisting of open questions and requests for information about the participants' injury and rehabilitation experiences. We utilized a reflexive thematic analysis to interpret participants' accounts. Two themes are presented to reveal the Chinese elite athletes' perceptions: (a) psychological injury rehabilitation lags behind physical rehabilitation and (b) post-injury psychological support within the CWNS.This study contributes to athlete rehabilitation scholarship by providing a unique Eastern, collective perspective embedded with the Chinese Whole Nation System (CWNS).

Language: en

Keywords

Injury; China; Rehabilitation; Elite athletes; Reflexive thematic analysis