Survey: Injury-related setbacks threaten mental health

done anything physically active sports-wise for six to seven months.”

As in-person school resumed once again, many student athletes, particularly freshmen, were forced to pick between sports, and this can result in more recurrent injuries.

“I think that’s kind of an issue which can lead to more injuries,” said senior Marco Rice, a three sport athlete who tore his ACL at the end of his junior football season. “If you stick to one sport, just keep on using the same muscles over and over again, injuries are bound to happen.” really helpful being in the environment and around everyone.”

Several athletes reported a fear of missing out (“FOMO”) on their sport while injured. Junior Aahana Chakravartti went through a similar experience a er injuring her foot a er a ski trip.

“When I got hurt, I felt very le out,” Chakravartti said. “Even though my family supported me throughout my recovery, it was still hard for me because I had to watch other kids play sports and I couldn’t do anything.”

BY SOPHIA DOSS Sta Reporter

POPPiNG. CRACKiNG. SNAPPiNG.

Every athlete — regardless of age or skill level — knows to dread those three sounds and the pain that they may signal. Because of the constant threat of injury, many coaches work around the clock to prevent mishaps and keep their players active.

Nevertheless, athletes still get injured frequently, and the long road to recovery is rarely enjoyable. Mental health and daily life — aside from physical capability — can all su er when a player is sidelined.

According to athletic trainer Matt Smith, he has seen a spike in the number of injuries he’s treated since students returned to in-person school and activities.

“During the pandemic, kids weren’t as active,” Smith said. “It’s hard when they haven’t

A er an injury, it’s very common for students to be not only a ected physically, but mentally as well. In an anonymous survey of Burlingame students, 53% of respondents admitted that their mental well-being declined a er injuries.

When junior Avah Reichow injured her ankle last year during gymnastics, her physical health began to a ect her mental well-being.

“When I was out, I developed a fear of falling behind,” Reichow said. “I felt like I was losing time, but when I was hurt, I would go to the gym to be around my teammates and condition. It was

Of the student-athletes who responded to the survey, 68.8% reported believing that their injuries were preventable, with most stating how they wished they warmed up or took better care of their bodies.

“I played sports my entire life. And then one injury happens… and they told me [the recovery time] was nine months. I was scared — surgery, this that, — it de nitely brought me down a bit,” Rice said. “ ose rst couple of months I was really trying to nd myself without sports and it was de nitely something I’ve never experienced… but my family and friends helped me through it, so I got through it and made me a better person.”