Sidelined: When the Game Isn’t Just a Game
There is a widely-used phrase, “Hey, it’s just a game”. Normally it is in the setting of trying to get a person to lose graciously, or between friends to defuse an intense game of monopoly, or FortNite… However, it brings on new meaning this day and age with the pandemic and all. With athletics being delayed, canceled, and set in bubbles there are many athletes out there who no longer know if they will be able to play this year or ever again. It’s a hard reality that sports are not a top priority and may not occur, and with plans changing almost daily on how to proceed. But for those around athletes affected by these changes it is important to know what could be going on inside their head.
Sports have long been touted as a means to have community and to learn life lessons. Having some personal experience with high school and college athletics I can attest that bonds are built, friendships are made, and lifelong lessons are plentiful. Sports can become much more than “just a game” to people and for good reason.
Athletes are constantly preparing for an event/game. Injuries and postponements can cause difficulties for athletes whom had a goal/carrot driving them.
Picture- starting trail up Arthor’s Seat mountain, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
One personality trait that has shown to be associated with higher performance in athletics has been coined the Athletic Identity in a recent position statement of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine regarding mental health in athletics. Athletic Identity is the degree to which an individual views themselves within an athletic role and looks to others for confirmation of that role. With this trait, athletes live, eat, breath sports. The ones that are always getting extra reps or spending more time in the gym.
The down side is when the sport is taken away- by injury, pandemic, or other causes. It can leave a dramatic hole in the individual’s life. Those that perceive they are not in control of their transition from sports are at higher risk of depression and experience a more difficult transition to non-competitive life. After an injury that ends a person season or causes them to retire, depression is a serious risk and, unfortunately, they are more likely to self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs.
Just imagine the dramatic effects for the athlete that just tore their ACL or fractured a bone. The uncertainty in regards to their future in sport can be life changing. Or the individual that has been dealing with stress by running, injuring themselves and having to refrain from running. Now think of what athletes in the BIG-10 and PAC-12 are dealing with having the season postponed and/or cancelled. I’m not saying this wasn’t the right move, it may well have been, but it’s not without consequence to the psyche of the athletes and their families.
Exercise can be a place of peace and relaxation.
An injury can disrupt that and cause damage to the psyche and mental well being of an individual.
Grays Lake- Des Moines, Iowa
Having a multidimensional personality (not all eggs in the sports basket) does have a protective effect against this as does having a plan for life after competitive sports. So for those that are raising athletes at the moment, make sure to diversify their sports and activities and always have a plan for once sports are done. Always keep on the lookout for those that have just suffered an injury or just had their seasons canceled, as depression and anxiety is a definite risk. Just imagine the loss felt when everything someone knows that makes up their self-identity is taken from them.
So no it’s not ‘just a game’. Keep that in mind and be compassionate and understanding. And, if needed, help and advise someone going through an injury or abrupt change to seek out help if needed. Mental health and self care are very important during this unprecedented and difficult time. Whether it’s the person reading this or someone they know, make sure to check in and monitor those going through a tough injury or season/event cancelation and see how they are doing.
Stay safe and keep moving.
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