SIDELINED: Helping Athletes Adapt and Thrive after Medically Forced Exit from Sport


This is an encore presentation from NATA 2022 in Philadelphia, offering a second chance to experience the event's valuable content and insights.

Abstract:
The transition following unanticipated and involuntary exit from sport is described as disruptive and traumatic. Understanding the patterns of psychological response for athletes no longer able to compete due to career-ending injury, health condition, or concussion is essential to patient care. Medically disqualified athletes experience a range of emotional responses such as grief, identity loss, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. This presentation will address the psychological and social domains for athletes experiencing MDQ, implications for loss of athletic identity, and risk of related mental health concerns. Emphasis on research and practical methodology to support these athletes in their transition.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the three domains of experience that characterize the injured athlete’s journey. 
  • Examine most recent data reflecting trends in psychological response and the mental health concerns following medically-forced exit from sport, as identified in Sidelined USA’s 2020 original IRB approved research study. 
  • Explain components of a healthy psychological adjustment following medical disqualification as referenced in Brown & Hogg’s Model of Healthy Transition Following Career-Ending Injury. 
  • Discuss ways athletic trainers can support the medically disqualified athlete in six key areas: grief and identity loss, social support, coping strategies, affiliation/competence, rebuilding motivation, and mental health concerns. 
  • Identify free support resources available through NATA-sponsored nonprofit Sidelined USA.

Level:
Essential

Domain(s):
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy 
Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis 
Domain 3: Critical Incident Management 
Domain 4: Therapeutic Intervention 
Domain 5: Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

Keywords: mental health, coping, healthy adjustment, medically disqualified athlete

Jordan Anderson, MS, ATC

Jordan is an athletic trainer with NorthShore University Health System, working under Dr. Carrie Jaworski. Previously, Jordan served as a staff athletic trainer at New Trier Township High School in Northfield, IL. Jordan received his master’s in athletic training from Illinois State University in May 2013. During that time he served as a graduate assistant for ISU’s football team. Prior to that Jordan received his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Northern Illinois University where he served as the president of the student athletic training club. In between schools Jordan interned at Northwestern University with their football team in the spring of 2011. Jordan currently resides in Evanston, IL. He also serves in capacity with the IATA Secondary Schools Committee, and has worked with the IATA and GLATA Young Professionals Committees. Outside of the IATA, Jordan serves as the Secretary for the Sidelined USA Board of Directors, an organization dedicated to serving the community of permanently sidelined athletes.

Christine Pinalto

Christine Pinalto is the co-founder and Executive Director of Sidelined USA. The organization was founded by Christine and her son, Cade Pinalto, a teen athlete sidelined by a heart condition. They identified a lack of resources available for sidelined athletes and their parents and together, they started Sidelined USA to support these athletes in making the mental shift toward acceptance and to inspire them to re-engage with the sports world through alternate avenues.

Because athletes who have been medically disqualified are at high risk for further mental health implications, providing ATs with special resources to support a healthy psychological recovery is extremely valuable. Sidelined USA serves as a knowledge base for ATs and a place to refer their MDQ athletes for specialized support.

Through Sidelined USA’s program, permanently sidelined athletes and their families are offered free coping resources, social support, and mentorship opportunities.

Components visible upon registration.