Exploring the role of Music-Assisted Relaxation for re-injury anxiety in tertiary-level cheerleaders using Thematic Analysis

Competitive cheerleading is a dynamic sport characterised by intricate routines involving dance, stunts, and gymnastics. Athletes face the risk of injuries that not only impact their physical well-being but also introduce psychological challenges, particularly re-injury anxiety. This research explores the experiences of injury in cheerleading, focusing on sustaining injuries, responses to the thought of re-injury, skills for injury prevention, and the impact of re-injury anxiety during practice. Additionally, the study delves into mental preparedness, emphasising the development of a strong-willed mindset, the challenges of returning to practise prematurely, the unique affordances of cheerleading, and the importance of team relationships.The investigation further examines rehabilitation and psychosocial support, uncovering the benefits and challenges of the rehabilitation process and athletes' previous experiences with psychosocial support. A novel aspect of the research involves exploring personal experiences of Music-Assisted Relaxation (MAR) in music therapy, considering perceived benefits, expectations, and individual encounters with this specific technique. The potential incorporation of MAR as a psychological strategy for managing re-injury anxiety during rehabilitation is a focal point of interest.竞技啦啦队（Competitive cheerleading）是一项极具活力的运动，其典型特征为涵盖舞蹈、特技托举与体操动作的复杂成套编排。运动员面临损伤风险，此类损伤不仅会损害其身体健康，还会引发诸多心理层面的挑战，尤以再损伤焦虑（re-injury anxiety）为突出。本研究旨在探究啦啦队运动员的损伤相关经历，重点围绕遭受损伤的经历、对再损伤相关想法的应对反应、损伤预防技能，以及训练期间再损伤焦虑所产生的影响展开。此外，本研究还深入探讨了心理准备状态，重点关注坚毅心态的培养、过早恢复训练所面临的挑战、啦啦队运动独有的项目特质，以及团队人际关系的重要性。本调查进一步考察了康复治疗与社会心理支持（psychosocial support），揭示了康复进程中的利弊与挑战，以及运动员过往获取社会心理支持的经历。本研究的一项创新维度在于探索音乐治疗中音乐辅助放松疗法（Music-Assisted Relaxation，MAR）的个人应用体验，涵盖感知收益、预期效果，以及个体使用该特定疗法的实际经历。将MAR作为康复期间管理再损伤焦虑的心理干预手段的潜在应用价值，亦是本研究的核心关注点。