Psychosocial Determinants of Health in Recreational, Tactical, and Competitive Athletes: Implications for Physical Therapists
Presented at the 2021 Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association 01-28 FEB 2021.
Neuromusculoskeletal (NMSK) injuries are ubiquitous in recreational, tactical, and competitive athletes. Many athletes who sustain a NMSK injury progress to develop chronic conditions that can limit physical activity and result in substantial long-term disability. Both social and psychological factors may drive care-seeking and treatment compliance following NMSK injury, as well as contribute to the chronification of injury. In turn, each of these factors could result in long-term cardiovascular consequences that contribute to morbidity and mortality over a lifetime. Physical therapists have a professional duty to work in communities, operational military units, and in competitive athletic programs to increase accessibility, foster care-seeking behaviors, and mitigate potential long-term consequences following NMSK injury. All practitioners should be aware that successful rehabilitation includes consideration of many complex biopsychosocial, technical, and operational factors. In this educational session, we will discuss the unique psychological and social determinants of health in recreational, tactical, and competitive athletes. This session will include specific suggestions about techniques physical therapists can employ to facilitate care-seeking following NMSK injury.
Disclaimers: CDR John J Fraser is a military service member and this work was prepared as part of his official duties. Title 17, U.S.C. §105 provides that copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the U.S. Government. Title 17,U.S.C. §101 defines a U.S. Government work as work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government.
