Brodie Nankervis1, Laura Ferguson2, Cameron Gosling3, Michael Storr2, Dragan Ilic4, Mark Young5, Stephen Maloney6. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Australia. Electronic address: brodie.nankervis@monashhealth.org. 2. Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Australia. 3. Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Monash University, Australia. 4. Medical Education Research and Quality (MERQ) Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia. 5. Geelong Football Club, Australia. 6. Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Australia; Medical Education Research and Quality (MERQ) Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore how social media is used by a population of injured professional athletes, by comparing the content and frequency of posts on social media, pre and post-injury. DESIGN: A retrospective mixed methods design was utilised. METHODS: Professional Australian Football League (AFL) players, injured during the 2015 season, were included in the study. Publicly accessible social media profiles for these players were identified on Twitter and Instagram. All posts published on verified profiles, from four weeks prior to injury until return to play, were extracted. Thematic analysis was used to investigate the content of these posts, while univariate and multivariate linear regression was used to investigate the frequency of posts during this time period. RESULTS: Two reoccurring themes were identified exclusively post-injury; 'supporting team from the sideline' and 'sharing information about injury and rehabilitation'. The frequency of total posts did not differ significantly pre and post-injury, but the frequency of injury related posts increased in the immediate post-injury phase, then decreased between 4-8 weeks and 8-12 weeks post-injury. The frequency of injury related posts was higher with more severe injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that injured players use social media to seek social support from their followers, especially in the immediate post-injury period and after sustaining a severe injury. The role of social media in injury rehabilitation may warrant further investigation, to determine if it could be used to facilitate return to play.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore how social media is used by a population of injured professional athletes, by comparing the content and frequency of posts on social media, pre and post-injury. DESIGN: A retrospective mixed methods design was utilised. METHODS: Professional Australian Football League (AFL) players, injured during the 2015 season, were included in the study. Publicly accessible social media profiles for these players were identified on Twitter and Instagram. All posts published on verified profiles, from four weeks prior to injury until return to play, were extracted. Thematic analysis was used to investigate the content of these posts, while univariate and multivariate linear regression was used to investigate the frequency of posts during this time period. RESULTS: Two reoccurring themes were identified exclusively post-injury; 'supporting team from the sideline' and 'sharing information about injury and rehabilitation'. The frequency of total posts did not differ significantly pre and post-injury, but the frequency of injury related posts increased in the immediate post-injury phase, then decreased between 4-8 weeks and 8-12 weeks post-injury. The frequency of injury related posts was higher with more severe injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that injured players use social media to seek social support from their followers, especially in the immediate post-injury period and after sustaining a severe injury. The role of social media in injury rehabilitation may warrant further investigation, to determine if it could be used to facilitate return to play.