Sport and rehabilitation

three Black women power-walking in a park

Rehabilitation is the process of bringing an individual to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity, restoring to the fullest possible degree their independence, well-being, and level of functioning following injury, disability, or disorder. It involves providing appropriate resources, such as treatment or training, to enable such a person (e.g., one who has had a stroke) to redevelop skills and abilities they had acquired previously or to compensate for their loss.

Sport psychologists may work in such specific areas as clinical sport psychology, educational sport psychology, or research sport psychology, depending on their education, training, and focus in the field.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology definitions of rehabilitation and sport psychology

Resources from APA

Erica Force

Erica Force supports Olympic athletes in their quest for gold

Sport psychologist helps athletes elevate their performance and manage stress

How sport psychologists are helping Olympians in Italy

Psychologists train athletes to strengthen their mind like a muscle alongside the body

Image of a gavel

Little v. Hecox

Whether exclusionary sports participation policies against transgender individuals violate constitutional protections

runners competing on an outdoor track

Psychologists help prepare team USA for the Deaflympics

Improving sport and performance psychology services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes

More resources about sport and rehabilitation

What APA is doing

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Divisions

Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

APA’s Division 47 brings together psychologists, as well as exercise and sport scientists, interested in research, teaching, and service in this area.