Experiences of returning to elite alpine skiing after ACL injury and ACL reconstruction
-
Birgitta Nordahl
,
Maria Westin
Abstract
Aim: To explore the experiences of alpine skiing at the elite level after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction.
Design: A qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted, and an analysis of the manifest content was performed.
Participants: Five ski high school students, two male and three female skiers, who had suffered ACL injuries and undergone ACL reconstructions.
Results: Seven categories were identified. The participants described their perceived opportunities with regard to returning to alpine skiing after ACL injury and reconstruction as something positive to do with self-belief, being mentally and physically prepared, regaining confidence in their own ability, being given time and using active strategies. In contrast, perceived barriers to a return to elite alpine skiing gave rise to negative feelings, for example, fear, disheartenment, a total lack of or ambivalent confidence in their own ability and the use of passive strategies.
Conclusion: The two male skiers returned to alpine skiing. They reported confidence in their own ability, active strategies and support on all levels, as well as enhanced physical ability. The female skiers did not return to their pre-injury level of competitive alpine skiing. They stated a lack of support on all levels, deterioration in their physical ability and two out of three reported passive strategies and no or ambivalent confidence in their own ability. The most important factors were family support, support on all levels, access to a physiotherapist and time given.
Conflict of interest statement
Authors’ conflict of interest disclosure: None declared.
Research Funding: None
Appendix 1: interview questions
Research question A: what were their experiences after the ACL injury and reconstruction?
Tell me about your experiences when you were injured.
Describe the feelings you had for skiing.
From the time of injury until the surgery.
After surgery to 6 months after surgery.
From 6 to 12 months after surgery.
Tell me about what confidence you had in your own ability to be able to ski after the cruciate ligament injury.
Describe your thoughts about your belief in being completely restored after the cruciate ligament injury.
Tell me about your feelings when you returned to skiing for the first time after the cruciate ligament injury.
Tell me about your feelings when you returned to competitive skiing for the first time after the cruciate ligament injury.
Tell me what your thoughts on strategies were and how you handled the return to skiing after your cruciate ligament injury.
Research question B: what was their experience of the support they were given after the ACL injury and reconstruction?
Describe your thoughts and reflections on the support you received to boost your confidence so that you could return to alpine skiing at the elite level.
From coaches.
From physiotherapists.
From doctors.
From family.
From friends.
Tell me about your thoughts about how support should ideally be provided based on your own experience. What is the best way to boost a person’s confidence in alpine skiing after a cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction?
Research question C: how have the experiences after the ACL-injury and reconstruction affected the participants today?
Share your thoughts on how the experiences you had after your anterior cruciate injury and reconstruction affect you today.
Describe your feelings towards alpine skiing today.
Tell me about your involvement in alpine skiing today.
Describe your physical ability today.
Tell me if there is anything you would like to add to what has emerged during the interview.
References
1. Prodromos CC, Han Y, Rogowski J, Joyce B, Shi K. A meta-analysis of the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament tears as a function of gender, sport, and a knee injury-reduction regimen. Arthroscopy 2007;23:1320–5.10.1016/j.arthro.2007.07.003Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
2. Pujol N, Blanchi M, Chambat P. The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries among competitive alpine skiers: a 25-year investigation. Am J Sports Med 2007;35:1070–4.10.1177/0363546507301083Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
3. Flörenes TW, Bere T, Nordsletten L, Heir S, Bahr R. Injuries among male and female World Cup alpine skiers. Br J Sports Med 2009;43:973–8.10.1136/bjsm.2009.068759Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
4. Murphy D, Connolly D, Beynnon B. Risk factors for lower extremity injury: a review of the literature. Br J Sports Med 2003;37:13–29.10.1136/bjsm.37.1.13Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
5. Mikkelsen C, Werner S, Eriksson E. Closed kinetic chain alone compared to combined open and closed kinetic chain exercises for quadriceps strengthening after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with respect to return to sports: a prospective matched follow-up study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2000;8:337–42.10.1007/s001670000143Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
6. Kvist J, Ek A, Sporrstedt K, Good L. Fear of re-injury: a hindrance for returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2005;13:393–7.10.1007/s00167-004-0591-8Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
7. Thomee P, Wahrborg P, Börjesson M, Thomee R, Eriksson B, et al. Self-efficacy, symptoms and physical activity in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament injury: a prospective study. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2006;17:238–45.10.1111/j.1600-0838.2006.00557.xSuche in Google Scholar PubMed
8. Thomee P, Wahrborg P, Börjesson M, Thomee R, Eriksson B, et al. Determinants of self-efficacy in the rehabilitation of patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury. J Rehabil Med 2007;39:486–92.10.2340/16501977-0079Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
9. Thomee P, Wahrborg P, Börjesson M, Thomee R, Eriksson B, et al. Self-efficacy of knee function as a preoperative predictor of outcome one year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2008;16:118–27.10.1007/s00167-007-0433-6Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
10. Lazarus RS. Coping theory and research: past, present, future. Psychosom Med 1993;55:234–47.10.1097/00006842-199305000-00002Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
11. Keith RA. Patients satisfaction and rehabilitation services. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1998;79:1122–8.10.1016/S0003-9993(98)90182-4Suche in Google Scholar
12. Heijne A, Axelsson K, Werner S, Biquet G. Rehabilitation and recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: patients’ experiences. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2008; 18;325–35.10.1111/j.1600-0838.2007.00700.xSuche in Google Scholar PubMed
13. Downe-Wamboldt B. Content analysis: method, applications, and issues. Health Care Women Int 1992;13:313–21.10.1080/07399339209516006Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
14. Graneheim UH, Lundman B. Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Educ Today 2004; 24:105–12.10.1016/j.nedt.2003.10.001Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
15. Bandura A, Locke EA. Negative self-efficacy and goal effects revisited. J Appl Phychol 2003;88:87–99.10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.87Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
16. Ardern CL, Webster KE, Taylor NF, Feller JA. Return to the pre injury level of competitive sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: two-thirds of patients have not returned by 12 months after surgery. Am J Sports Med 2011;39:538–43.10.1177/0363546510384798Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
17. Ardern CL, Webster KE, Taylor NF, Feller JA. Return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the state of play. Br J Sports Med 2011;45:596–606.10.1136/bjsm.2010.076364Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
18. Podlog L, Eklund RC. Professional coaches perspectives on the return to sport following serious injury. J Appl Sport Psychol 2007;19:207–25.10.1080/10413200701188951Suche in Google Scholar
19. Johnston LH, Caroll D. The provision of social support to injured athletes: a qualitative analysis. J Sport Rehabil 1998:7:267–84.10.1123/jsr.7.4.267Suche in Google Scholar
20. Bandura A. Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Educ Behav 2004;31:43–164.10.1177/1090198104263660Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
21. Johnson U. Coping strategies among long-term injured competitive athletes. A study of 81 men and women in team and individual sports. Scand J Med Sci Sports 1997;7:367–72.10.1111/j.1600-0838.1997.tb00169.xSuche in Google Scholar PubMed
22. Podlog L, Dimmock J, Miller J. A review of return to sport concerns following injury rehabilitation. Practitioner strategies for enhancing recovery outcomes. Phys Ther Sport 2011;12:36–42.10.1016/j.ptsp.2010.07.005Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
23. Ageberg E, Forssblad M, Herbertsson P, Roos EM. Sex differences in patient- reported outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med 2010;38:1334.10.1177/0363546510361218Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
24. Kvale S. The qualitative research interview. [Kvalitativ forskningsintervju]. Studentlitteratur: Lund, 1997 [in Swedish].Suche in Google Scholar
©2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Editorial
- To vaccinate or not to vaccinate
- Review
- Sexual and reproductive health of Portuguese adolescents
- Original articles
- Tobacco consumption among 12- to 15-year-old schoolchildren in Delhi
- Perceptions of communication, family adaptability and cohesion: a comparison of adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer and their parents
- The prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying in high school: a 2011 survey
- Short- and medium-term impact of a residential weight-loss camp for overweight adolescents
- Personal and family attributes of pregnant teenagers: findings from a community-based study in Sri Lanka
- Adolescents with anorectal malformation: physical outcome, sexual health and quality of life
- What sources do adolescents turn to for information about their health concerns?
- Experiences of returning to elite alpine skiing after ACL injury and ACL reconstruction
- Hyperandrogenemia in male autistic children and adolescents: relation to disease severity
- The career aspirations of adolescents with eating disorders: an exploratory study and suggested links to adolescent self-concept development
- Differential effects of religiosity on sexual initiation among Nigerian in-school adolescents
- Prevalence of menstrual disorders among adolescent girls in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria
- The concepts of work, study, and leisure of parents and children
- How do Iranian female adolescents express their health education needs? A needs assessment with qualitative thematic analysis
- Attitudes and knowledge levels of nurses and residents caring for adolescents with an eating disorder
- Predictors of suicide ideation and risk for HIV among juvenile offenders in Georgia
- Short Communication
- Association between food intake frequency and obesity among adolescent girls in Saudi Arabia
- Case reports
- Unusual cause of urethral bleeding in an adolescent: a case in dilemma
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: a specific cause of cyclical vomiting
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Editorial
- To vaccinate or not to vaccinate
- Review
- Sexual and reproductive health of Portuguese adolescents
- Original articles
- Tobacco consumption among 12- to 15-year-old schoolchildren in Delhi
- Perceptions of communication, family adaptability and cohesion: a comparison of adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer and their parents
- The prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying in high school: a 2011 survey
- Short- and medium-term impact of a residential weight-loss camp for overweight adolescents
- Personal and family attributes of pregnant teenagers: findings from a community-based study in Sri Lanka
- Adolescents with anorectal malformation: physical outcome, sexual health and quality of life
- What sources do adolescents turn to for information about their health concerns?
- Experiences of returning to elite alpine skiing after ACL injury and ACL reconstruction
- Hyperandrogenemia in male autistic children and adolescents: relation to disease severity
- The career aspirations of adolescents with eating disorders: an exploratory study and suggested links to adolescent self-concept development
- Differential effects of religiosity on sexual initiation among Nigerian in-school adolescents
- Prevalence of menstrual disorders among adolescent girls in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria
- The concepts of work, study, and leisure of parents and children
- How do Iranian female adolescents express their health education needs? A needs assessment with qualitative thematic analysis
- Attitudes and knowledge levels of nurses and residents caring for adolescents with an eating disorder
- Predictors of suicide ideation and risk for HIV among juvenile offenders in Georgia
- Short Communication
- Association between food intake frequency and obesity among adolescent girls in Saudi Arabia
- Case reports
- Unusual cause of urethral bleeding in an adolescent: a case in dilemma
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: a specific cause of cyclical vomiting
