Examining Resilience and Psychological Readiness Among Injured Football Players In Kerala: Implications For Return-To-Play And Performance

Abstract

In competitive sports, psychological factors such as resilience and psychological readiness are pivotal for athletes, particularly in the context of injury recovery. This study explores the differences in resilience and psychological readiness among district and state-level football players in Kerala, utilizing a sample of 60 athletes aged 18 to 30. Employing standardized inventories, the research assesses the athletes' resilience and psychological readiness, aiming to elucidate their correlation with competitive levels. The findings reveal that state-level players demonstrate significantly higher resilience (M = 152.6) and psychological readiness (M = 51.66) compared to their district-level counterparts (M = 129.6 and M = 41.18, respectively). These results underscore the critical role of psychological factors in the recovery process from injuries and highlight the necessity for tailored psychological support to bolster resilience and readiness among athletes across varying levels of competition. The implications of this study suggest that enhancing psychological resilience can lead to improved athletic performance and better coping mechanisms during recovery phases, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of athletes.