6 Summary of Session 7

In this session you have explored how imagery, self-talk and relaxation techniques can be used during rehabilitation from sport injury.

The main learning points from this session are:

• Sport psychology intervention during sport injury rehabilitation can lead to several positive outcomes including increased adherence, more positive attitude, enhanced pain management and enhanced healing.
• Imagery can be used in several different ways to benefit sport injury rehabilitation, for example skill practice, relaxation, pain management and healing imagery.
• Both instructional and motivational self-talk can be used to enhance sport injury rehabilitation.
• Relaxation techniques such as PMR, relaxation imagery, controlled breathing and music can be used to help injured athletes and exercise participants to combat the stress and anxiety that can be a consequence of injury.

Having explored imagery, self-talk and relaxation, in the next session you will look at two more interventions that can be used during sport injury rehabilitation – goal setting and social support.