Physical and mental impacts of sports injuries

Sports injuries impact both physical health and psychological well-being. Beyond the immediate physical damage, athletes often face frustration, anxiety, sadness, and a loss of confidence during rehabilitation. Rubén Rodríguez Rodríguez from the Universidad Europea de Canarias notes that significant injuries can affect an athlete's identity, particularly when sports are central to their lives. A common psychological hurdle is kinesiophobia, an excessive fear of movement due to the potential for pain or re-injury.

In running, improper preparation or rapid increases in training intensity can lead to overuse injuries, specifically affecting the hip. Dr. Fernando Corbí of Hospital Vithas Valencia 9 de Octubre explains that injuries occur when the adaptive capacity of muscles, tendons, and bones is exceeded by training demands. Common issues include gluteal tendinopathy, iliopsoas muscle overload, and intra-articular pathologies like femoroacetabular impingement, often exacerbated by biomechanical alterations or muscle strength deficits.