At Pembroke Pines Charter High School [PPCHS], athletic programs play a central role in student life. As athletes are constantly pushing their limits, they are reminded of one of the toughest challenges in sports: injuries. From sprained ankles to concussions, these major setbacks affect far more than just physical performance; they also affect the mental health of athletes. Additionally, the road to recovery often weighs heavily on mental health, which brings stress, frustration, and even loss of self-confidence to the athlete.
When athletes are forced to sit out due to injury, the absence often can stretch far beyond the physical game itself. Missing practices also means losing valuable time to train not only for one’s sport; it also also losing time building bonds and relationships with teammates. Over time, this gap can create a difficult time for athletes to keep up once they return, while adding more pressure on the athlete to regain their performance level. Equally as challenging is the emotional toll that is placed on the athlete; watching teammates compete while being unable to join in can leave athletes feeling disconnected, not just to their team but also to the field.
John Rhoden, a Sophomore on the boys varsity football team, comments, “…during one of our football games, I had two guys collide with me and I developed a bruised sternum. I thought I was not going to be able to play anymore and felt really defeated. It was really out of my control, and that tore me down.”
For many athletes, being stuck on the sidelines while watching teammates compete can be very mentally draining. The constant reminder that ‘you are unable to help your team because you are hurt’ runs through many athletes’ minds, which creates a sense of sadness, frustration, and potentially even jealousy. Instead of wanting to celebrate their own team, they can develop a fear of falling behind or even being replaced. Gradually, this sense of exclusion can weigh heavily on mental health, draining motivation and confidence. What was once a source of joy and belonging can quickly turn into an unfortunate reminder of limitations and setbacks.
Noah Benjamin, a Sophomore on the varsity track team who was injured during the previous season, comments, “…while I was recovering from my injury, I watched as everybody was able to compete and race. Although I was glad to be there supporting them from the sidelines, I felt such a horrible feeling because I couldn’t run with them.”
When dealing with injuries, mental recovery can be just as important as physical recovery. Maintaining confidence and mental strength allows injured athletes to set realistic goals for themselves and recover their body while also remaining positive.. Especially for high school athletes, it is important to balance physical rehabilitation with mental well-being. This is the key to returning to sports, not only stronger in body but also stronger in the mind.
Marai Osborne, a Sophomore on the girls’ varsity basketball team, adds, “…do not let the love you have for your sport go away after an accident; keep training and working to push yourself for what you love.”
Ms. Calero, the varsity swim team’s coach, comments that “…your health is first, make sure to take care of yourself first. I was a nurse before I was a coach, so I will always tell my athletes to make sure their health comes first.”
Athletes who push themselves to their limit often perform their best but also tend to face a higher risk of injury, which can potentially set them back in the long run. Coach Pop, the coach for the boys’ varsity basketball team, advises athletes to “warm up and do a lot of stretching” before games to avoid injuries. Additionally, he often mentioned how the basketball team participates in a lot of ‘band-like’ types of exercise, which help joints get stretched out and strengthened, loose, without impact.
Coach Pop adds how he always tries to “look for a way to prevent injuries, but once an injury occurs we usually try to get them with the trainer right away.” and “…a lot of athletes play with pain where they are able to overcome, but playing with an injury is another story, which can cause bigger problems down the line.”
Recovery and taking a break by sitting out for injured athletes is essential due to the fact that it allows the body proper time to heal and regain strength. Since, without proper recovery, there is always a higher risk of reinjury. Proper recovery is the key to protecting an athlete’s body and preventing further injuries, which can become long-term issues.
Brooklyn Raine, a sophomore JV volleyball player, comments on how her injury affected her the same amount physically and mentally. “Due to my injury, it had really affected me physically because I was unable to perform my best. It had also affected me mentally due to the fact that I was always in my head, and I was so ready to get to recover to the point I rushed it.”
Although injuries in athletes are an unavoidable part of sports, there are certain things that athletes can do to help prevent them and recover faster. By focusing on proper recovery and maintaining a healthy mindset, student-athletes at PPCHS can overcome these setbacks. In the end, the true measure of an athlete is not only in their performance, but it is also in their motivation to rise after being pushed to the sidelines.
