The Psychology of Musculoskeletal Injury in Elite and Recreational Gaelic Footballers

Mental health is an ever-growing concern in modern society, costing the Irish government an estimated €8.2 billion annually. Participation in sport has many benefits for both our physical and mental health but musculoskeletal injury can be a significant stressor for Gaelic footballers that can elicit symptoms of common mental disorders and negatively affect recovery from injury. Initial results show lack of education, stigma, accessibility and negative attitudes as barriers to professional psychological help-seeking post-injury. By increasing mental health literacy, help-seeking may be facilitated and Gaelic footballers may be equipped with the necessary skills to manage their mental health when injured.

Sinead O’Keefe

Sinéad graduated with a degree in Athletic Therapy and Training from Dublin City University in 2016. She is a graduate member of Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI) and currently resides on the Education Committee and the Mutual Recognition Agreement Equivalence Working Group Committee. Supervisors: Dr Niamh Ní Chéilleachair, Dr Siobhán O’Connor (DCU) and Dr Mark Campbell (UL).