Playing through pain: Physical and mental implications of playing while injured

About this episode

This episode explores the physical and mental implications of playing while injured, featuring insights from Aaron Patterson.

Whether you are an athlete, coach, or parent, you know the impact injuries can have on performance. Depending on the severity, it can limit an athlete's physical ability, or even for them to sit out of competition for an extended period of time. We know the physical implications, but what about the mental implications. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer and Mental Performance Consultant (AASP) Aaron Patterson explores the relationship between injury, mental health, and athletic performance through the lens of a study published in 2026 in the Human Kinetics Journals. Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance…

People in this episode

Guest: Aaron Patterson

Topics covered

• injury
• mental health
• athletic performance
• coaching
• sports psychology

Keywords

• injury
• mental performance
• athlete
• coaching
• sports psychology
• performance
• health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Human Kinetics, National Strength and Conditioning Association

Books & works: Human Kinetics Journals

More episodes of The Human Kinetics Podcast

• Do halftime re-warm-ups improve performance? · June 12, 2026 · 9 min
• Benefits of stretching beyond flexibility, with Dr. Tyler Farney · June 5, 2026 · 33 min
• Do pitching biomechanics and performance differ between the windup and stretch? · May 29, 2026 · 10 min
• Reducing injury risk and avoiding setbacks, with Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson · May 22, 2026 · 53 min
• Do napping and caffeine improve performance? A look into what the research says, with Aaron Patterson, M.S. · May 15, 2026 · 12 min
• Impact of sleep on performance, with Aaron Patterson, M.S. · May 1, 2026 · 17 min