Lost my identity after my sports injury

“I don’t know. I didn’t retire. I needed to heal physically and mentally. Yeah, I had no plans. I just didn’t know when I would come back. I didn’t know how I would come back.”

-Serena Williams, 23-time Grand Slam Champion

“Injury is the enemy of a professional athlete.”

-Novak Djokovic remarked after bowing out of the Australian Open.

How many of us have faced an injury that forced us to the sidelines, watching others chase their goals while we grappled with our limitations? The mental toll can be just as daunting—if not greater—than the physical pain. Women and girls, who are more prone to sports injuries, have brought this issue to the forefront, prompting growing concern among experts in orthopedics, sports science, exercise physiology, and psychology.

In a 2024 BBC Report, Dr Lee Moore, a senior lecturer in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Bath, said: "Research among elite adult athletes shows that injuries often lead to a loss of self-identity, fear of re-injury, and anxiety about losing their place on the team.”

"Until now, young people’s voices have been overlooked. By better understanding their experiences, we can better inform coaching practices and help families provide the right support for young people during their recovery from injury."

A BBC profile published in 2024, Gemma Peters and Rachael Debenham, both 20-year-old elite rowers from the University of Bath, have openly shared the profound mental and emotional challenges they faced due to their sports injuries.

Rachael Debenham developed a hip injury that forced her to stop rowing. She expressed feelings of isolation and a loss of identity, stating, "Injury has been incredibly isolating. I feel like I’ve lost a part of my identity." She also found it difficult to watch her teammates progress while she remained sidelined, describing it as a "bittersweet" experience. The prospect of returning to rowing was both exciting and overwhelming for her, with a persistent fear of reinjury. Her primary focus became performing daily tasks without pain and concentrating on rehabilitation post-surgery. Rachael highlighted a significant gap in support for athletes at all levels, emphasizing the need for better injury-specific assistance.

Gemma Peters suffered a back injury during training, leading to a two-year cycle of relapses and rehabilitation, including hospital stays and temporary loss of feeling in her legs. She admitted to struggling with the transition from being a high-level athlete to coping with her injury, saying, "I've been a high-level athlete all my life, so when injury took that away, I didn’t know how to handle it." Gemma felt misunderstood by support services, which she believed assumed her desire for treatment was solely to return to sport, rather than to regain a normal life. She turned to coaching to stay connected with rowing, but described the daily battle between the fear of worsening symptoms and the urge to remain active. Finding a balance was tough for her, but she looked forward to training again without guilt.

Their experiences underscore the significant mental health challenges athletes can face when dealing with injuries, highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems that address both physical and psychological aspects of recovery.

Psychological Impact of Technological Advancements

The integration of technology in sports injury recovery is not just about physical healing—it’s a holistic approach that fosters mental resilience, keeps athletes engaged, and optimizes their return to play. Although Temple Orthobiologics is not directly addressing mental health, its novel technology platforms, combining the best of therapeutics, biomaterials, and drug delivery in an evidence-based setting, could help to deliver what active individuals and athletes need:

• Reducing Anxiety & Depression: Faster, more effective recovery minimizes downtime and prevents feelings of helplessness.

• Building Confidence: Reassures athletes about their progress, easing the fear of reinjury.

• Maintaining Identity & Purpose: Better recovery, rehab, and faster return may provide a mindset of engagement in the sport or activity

Growth in Women’s Professional Sports

The past decade has seen significant growth in women’s professional sports, including soccer, basketball, tennis, and other team-based sports. Key indicators of this growth include increasing sponsorships, media coverage, and rising viewership for women’s leagues and events. For example, viewership for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup surpassed 1.12 billion globally, and in the U.S., the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) reported a 493% increase in viewership during the 2020 season. The WNBA also saw its viewership grow by over 40% in recent years, reflecting heightened interest and investment in women’s sports.

Impact on Youth Enrollment: The popularity of women’s professional sports has directly influenced youth enrollment, particularly among girls. According to a 2022 study, youth participation in sports such as soccer, basketball, and gymnastics has grown by 20-30% over the last decade, with significant increases in female participation. This surge in youth sports enrollment reflects both the broader cultural visibility of female athletes and the growing number of role models available to young girls.

Injury Rate Epidemic: While increased youth sports participation is beneficial, it has been accompanied by a rise in sports-related injuries, particularly among female athletes. Peer-reviewed literature highlights that female athletes, especially in sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball, are more prone to certain types of injuries compared to males:

• ACL Injuries: Female athletes are 2-8 times more likely to suffer anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries due to anatomical and biomechanical differences.

• Concussions: Female soccer players have a higher incidence of concussions than their male counterparts.

• Overuse Injuries: There is a growing epidemic of overuse injuries among youth athletes, particularly due to early sports specialization and year-round training, with girls facing a higher risk.

Studies suggest that around 30-50% of all female youth athletes experience at least one significant injury during their sporting career, with ACL injuries accounting for a substantial portion of long-term injuries. This rising injury trend has prompted calls for better training, injury prevention programs, and sports-specific conditioning for young female athletes.

As the landscape of women’s sports continues to evolve, so must the approach to injury recovery and mental well-being. The physical demands placed on athletes, coupled with the psychological toll of being sidelined, underscore the urgent need for innovative, holistic solutions. By integrating cutting-edge technologies like those developed by Temple Orthobiologics, we can not only enhance physical recovery but also empower athletes to navigate the emotional challenges of injury. Whether through advanced therapeutics, biomaterials, or targeted rehabilitation strategies, the goal remains the same: to help athletes return stronger—both physically and mentally—so they can continue pursuing their passion without fear. Only by addressing both the body and mind can we ensure that injuries do not define an athlete’s journey but rather become a stepping stone to resilience and growth.