Injury Anxiety in Sports: Sample of Elite Amputee Footballers

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to examine the injury anxiety levels of amputee soccer players in sports. Phenomenology, one of the qualitative research models, was preferred in the study. Purposive “criterion sampling” was used in sample selection. The study group of the research consists of 11 elite male amputee soccer players playing in the Turkish Super League. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview form. The themes and sub-themes were determined by using content analysis technique in data analysis. In the study, amputee soccer players’ views on injury concerns were collected in 4 themes. The themes were presented as “anxiety about sportive ability”, “anxiety about other individuals’ opinions”, “anxiety about possible pain and pain” and “anxiety about the future of athletic life”. From these themes, 36 sub-themes were obtained. As a result, it was seen that the level of anxiety decreased with increasing age. It was seen that the three youngest athletes were anxious about not being given another chance when they were injured. Similar results were found in the case of experiencing anxiety such as pain when injured. Some athletes are worried about decreasing their performance and not making the national team.