"Factors affecting confidence during return to sport after injury for rugby players"

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate how non-elite rugby player’s confidence is affected during their return to sport after a serious injury. The research sample consisted of six male rugby players all playing at a non-elite level, all of which are returning to competition from a serious injury. The study was qualitative, using semi-structured interviews to collect information about the rugby players’ confidence levels during three phases of their return to sport: their first training session, their first game, and the 2-3 week period following their first game. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, where they were then assessed for useful information about how their confidence was affected. The levels of confidence and how confidence was affected throughout the three stages was then analsysed. The study found that there are many aspects of the return to sport that affected the rugby players’ confidence levels, and there were also many ways in which their confidence could be improved.