Tips to return athletes confidently to sport with @clare_ardern via @ACLStudyDay Home Study Sessions!

Notes in the thread below....

MIND MATTERS.

Psych readiness critical across all injuries, not just ACL, for return to sport.

Fear of re-injury is #1 reason for not returning to pre-injury sport.

Physical and mental readiness often don't coincide!

When expectations don't match reality, can feed into greater negative emotions. Need to help athlete set realistic goals.

Address pt concern about competence:
- goal setting
- modelling behavior (connect athlete with people who have been through rehab before, group rehab?)
- relaxation (mental imagery, mindfulness)
- mental practice

Address athlete need for "belonging" (social support):
- design rehab for the athlete to do on the sideline while team is training
- modify current team's training to athlete's level
- have athlete serve as mentor to other athletes/junior athletes?

Empower athlete: what edu do they need re: injury, recovery?

Engage athlete: their ideas/choice for rehab plan, what else can they work on outside of physical?

Provide feedback: video documentation of progress?

Be transparent with communication

Address athlete autonomy:
- who else needs to be involved in decision-making process
- shared decision making WITH athlete: DO NOT force athlete to follow your rec - give all the info to make decision best for them.

Measuring psych readiness:
- ACL-RSI : specific to ACL injury (is being adapted in the future to hip and shoulder - stay tuned!)

Consider using regular, monitoring of mental readiness to return to sport 0-10 scale (0 no confidence, 10 very confident).

Use ACL-RSI at more key timepoints.

Remember: it's ok to refer out to a sports psychologist. These are just tools to help you during the rehab process.