Helping the Have-Nots: Examining the Relationship Between Rehabilitation Adherence and Self-Efficacy Beliefs in ACL Reconstructed NAIA and NCAA DII and DIII Female Athletes

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are among the most common and traumatic sport-related injuries, and often negatively impact one’s quality of life during and post-rehabilitation. For many NCAA Division I and professional female athletes, rehabilitation is streamlined with a multidisciplinary team, including sport psychology. For others (e.g., NAIA, NCAA Division II, III athletes) this may not always be the case, as many of these athletic programs may not have the resources to meet the various needs of injured and rehabilitating female student-athletes. In these instances, rehabilitation motivation, adherence, and success may be more dependent on the athletes’ individual resources and personalities, as compared to their Division I and professional counterparts. With so many more women athletes competing at this level across the U.S., a better understanding of ACL injury rehabilitation and return to sport with limited resources is warranted. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine what factors related to motivation and self-efficacy contribute to a successful rehabilitation for NAIA and NCAA Division II and III female athletes following ACL reconstruction. Qualitative interviews were used to investigate personal factors, as well as cultural and social elements that impact adherence to rehabilitation protocols and ultimately, recovery