The Study of Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation for Engineering Students in Karnataka State

Enhancing Adherence to Sports Injury Rehabilitation Programs

Abstract

A great number of injuries occur in the context of recreational physical activities andcompetitive athletics. Adherence to sport injury rehabilitation means an injured athlete‘s compliance tosports medicine/injury personnel‘s instructions of participating in a rehabilitation programme in a clinic,and/or doing rehabilitation exercises at home. It has emerged as an area of interest amongphysiotherapists and other allied professionals (i.e. sport trainers, physicians). This article reviewscompliance among injured athletes in the recovery process by presenting the protection motivationtheory, personal investment theory and models of cognitive appraisal. Also it reviews key researchfindings about these three theoretical models. In addition practical guidelines and specific strategies areoffered to sport injury rehabilitation personnel to enhance an athlete‘s adherence to injury rehabilitation.Sports medicine/injury personnel should educate athletes about their injuries and rehabilitation andincrease effective communication and active listening. Also sports medicine/injury personnel shouldprovide social support and encourage positive beliefs of injured athletes. In addition, coping with painand setting short-term goals help athletes to increase their compliance to programmes of rehabilitation.