AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE LEVEL OF FEAR OF RE-INJURY AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERMINANT OF SPORT RELAPSE AMONG INJURED ATHLETES DURING THE MEDICAL REHABILITATION PHASE

Abstract

This study aims to identify the level of fear of re-injury as a psychological determinant of sports relapse injured among athletes during the medical rehabilitation phase. The study adopted the descriptive approach and was conducted on a sample of injured athletes at the Sports Medicine Hospital in Baghdad, using the Fear of ReInjury Scale. The results revealed that the level of fear of re-injury was high and statistically significant, indicating its clear impact on the injured athletes' behavior and readiness to return to sports activity. The findings also showed that fear of re-injury represents an important psychological factor that contributes to an increased likelihood of sports relapse despite the completion of physical rehabilitation. It is therefore concluded that the success of medical rehabilitation programs cannot be achieved by relying solely on physical aspects, but rather requires integrated attention to psychological aspects. The study recommends incorporating psychological preparation and the assessment of fear of re-injury within medical rehabilitation programs. It also emphasizes the importance of involving a sports psychologist to reduce relapse rates and ensure a safe and effective return to sports activity.