Experiences of Injured Athletes Focusing on Their Meaning of "Return to Competition"

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the process of realizing "return to competition" in injured athletes and to examine their meaning of "return to competition." Using the Trajectory Equifinality Approach, 9 male athletes with experience of injury participated in semi–structured interviews. The results of the qualitative analysis showed that the meaning–making process involved the following 3 stages: (1) "wavering vision for development as an athlete," (2) "equating returning to play with their goal," and (3) "trying to find meaning in being injured." The results also revealed 2 types of meaning of "return to competition"; that in which "return to competition" is equated to returning to what the athletes used to be and that in which "return to competition" pertains to becoming more strong athletes through the injury. These findings provide a new understanding of sports injuries for athletes and contribute to the further development of athlete–centered care.