What is the first phase of injury response?

The first phase of injury response is the reaction to injury. This phase encompasses the initial emotional and psychological responses an athlete experiences immediately after sustaining an injury. It is a critical period, as athletes may experience a range of feelings, including shock, denial, and anxiety. Understanding and processing these emotions are essential for their recovery process and influence how they engage with subsequent rehabilitation.

This phase sets the foundation for how the athlete will cope with their injury, adhere to rehabilitation protocols, and ultimately return to their sport. Addressing the psychological aspects early on can facilitate a more positive rehabilitation journey, impacting performance once they return to competition. The other options represent stages that occur later in the recovery process, making them less relevant to the question regarding the initial response to an injury.