A Novel Study on the Functional Capacity of Athletes and Its Influence on Their Fear of Pain and Injuries

Abstract

This study investigates the multifaceted phenomenon of kinesiophobia, characterized by an irrational fear of movement, particularly prevalent among individuals with chronic pain. The research delves into various factors influencing kinesiophobia, including demographic variables, psychological experiences, and physical characteristics. Employing the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, the study assesses fear levels and their correlation with pain perception and functional capacity. Findings reveal a significant relationship between kinesiophobia and psychological exhaustion, reduced alertness, and self-esteem issues, particularly among athletes. Moreover, factors such as fatigue, overextension, sleep quality, and nutritional habits are identified as contributing to the manifestation of kinesiophobia. Furthermore, our study employs meticulous data preprocessing and neural network modeling, achieving an accuracy of 94.54%, to explore predictive factors such as age, gender, and fear-related attitudes. Notably, while injury history emerges as a significant predictor of kinesiophobia, gender does not exert a substantial influence. Notably, while injury history emerges as a significant predictor of kinesiophobia, gender does not exert a substantial influence. The analysis underscores the complex interplay of physical, psychological, and environmental factors in shaping kinesiophobia and highlights the importance of tailored interventions targeting fear-related attitudes and promoting well-being and rehabilitation strategies in individuals affected by this condition.

Keywords

• kinesiophobia
• injury
• pain
• fear of pain
• fear of injury
• athlete health