VIC:Mental illness threat for AFL players

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2011
VIC:Mental illness threat for AFL players

By Mike Hedge

MELBOURNE, April 20 AAP - In AFL football, almost every fracture or sprain or torn
muscle or twisted knee can result in a potential mental injury.

AFL has one of the highest rates of injury in Australian sport, but according to health
scientist Dr Mandy Ruddock-Hudson, the impact those physical injuries have on a player's
mental state have been largely neglected.

"Previous research has shown that between five and 20 per cent of injured athletes
experience clinical levels of depression," Dr Ruddock-Hudson said.

What surprised Dr Ruddock-Hudson, who is also a consultant to the AFL Coaches Association,
is that none of the existing research had included AFL players.

Dr Ruddock-Hudson presented the findings of a study into the psychological reaction
of players to their injuries at a seminar in Melbourne on Wednesday.

She said her research revealed that an athlete's wellbeing needed to be addressed to
ensure full rehabilitation.

Areas such as communication and social support had a huge influence on physical recovery.

"During their injury periods, players can become isolated from their teammates, coaches
and the environment they know and love," she said.

The study also found a player's ranking in a club was often reflected in the support he received.

"An athlete ranked at one or two may have been offered more support than a player ranked
40 or 41," she said.

Dr Ruddock-Hudson said clubs are already working on providing a more even level of
support to all players.

AAP mh/mn/jnb

KEYWORD: AFL HEALTH

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