The Impact of Resilience on Injury Incidence, Recovery, and Performance in Athletes: A Systematic Review.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review of predominantly observational studies (cross-sectional and cohort designs)
PubMed 41079758 · doi:10.1177/23259671251376705
What was done
A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library in December 2023 for studies evaluating the impact of resilience on injury rates, recovery, and performance in athletes. Out of 1,387 identified records, 13 observational studies (9 cross-sectional, 4 cohort) involving 4,400 athletes met inclusion criteria. Data were qualitatively synthesized due to substantial heterogeneity in study designs and outcome measures.
What was found
The abstract provides no numerical effect estimates or statistics. Qualitatively, higher resilience was associated with improved athletic performance, better psychological well-being during recovery, and reduced severity and incidence of post-concussion symptoms. Findings regarding the association between resilience and injury incidence were mixed and inconclusive across different sports.
Why it matters
This review maps current evidence linking psychological resilience to athletic recovery and performance, supporting the potential value of resilience-focused interventions in sports rehabilitation and training.
Limits
The included literature relies heavily on cross-sectional designs (9 of 13 studies), preventing causal conclusions. Marked heterogeneity precluded quantitative meta-analysis, no pooled effect sizes or risk estimates are presented, and the relationship between resilience and injury prevention remains inconsistent.
Cited by
- supports Patients who possess a mindset of strength and resilience recover more rapidly from injuries and experience less pain compared to those who view themselves as fragile.