A review of the psychological support mechanisms available for long-term injured footballers in the UK throughout their rehabilitation

ABSTRACT Objectives: Athletes regularly suffer psychologically as a consequence of long-term injury. However, to date, there has been no investigation into the psychological protocols implemented to support long-term injured professional footballers. Methods: An online questionnaire was developed to identify the current rehabilitation practices in English football. Seventy-five heads of medical departments responded to the survey from first teams and academies across the English Leagues. Results: Medical staff recognised that there were clinical mental health problems, namely anxiety and depression affecting long-term injured players. It was acknowledged that there was a need for psychological support for long-term injured players. However, findings revealed most clubs had limited access to psychological practitioners and physiotherapy staff were almost entirely responsible for providing psychological support throughout rehabilitation. Conclusion: Clubs responded overwhelmingly that they wanted to be able to access psychological support for long-term injured players.