Restored Life of Elite Athletes after Spinal Cord Injury

Grzegorz Zurek, Agata Goraczko, Alina Żurek, Maciej Lachowicz and Katarzyna Kujawa
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Grzegorz Zurek: Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Agata Goraczko: Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Alina Żurek: Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, 50-527 Wroclaw, Poland
Maciej Lachowicz: Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Katarzyna Kujawa: Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects every aspect of human life: medical, psychological, social, material. People with SCI face a variety of secondary conditions (e.g., chronic pain, urinary tract infections, cognitive impairment) that place a significant emotional burden, resulting in an increased risk of depression and reduced quality of life. The purpose of this study was to better understand the coping strategies and to identify factors that promote or hinder the successful adjustment of elite athletes after SCI. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight top athletes after spinal cord injury. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then thematically analyzed using MAXQDA software. Thematic analysis identified the following categories: coping, athletic identity, and adjustment. The results of the study indicate that loss of functional ability does not cause loss of athlete identity. Elite athletes live a life consistent with this identity, attempting to maintain it despite the loss of physical fitness. Involvement in sports provides meaning and is a positive factor in the process of disability acceptance, which is essential in the process of adjustment to injury and also provides group belonging.

Keywords: spinal cord injury; elite athletes; adjustment; athletic identity; coping (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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