Preparación psicológica para los Juegos Paralímpicos y afrontamiento de lesión: un caso en taekwondo

The case of a 25-year-old male athlete (parataekwondo, CAR Infanta Cristina, Murcia) is reported. The initial demand of the athlete was to be able to adequately manage the thoughts and beliefs affecting his performance such as: “When I am about to compete, I feel as if I could perform, I get nervous; however, I feel very good while training.” At the start of psychological work with the athlete, he reported during the interview that he had been dragging an injury for a long time, but after medical evaluation, he and his coach decided on a conservative rehabilitation to try and reach the Paralympic Games, after which he would undergo surgery. The psychological intervention, combining specific work for the injury and more general work for competition, focuses on strengthening confidence for fighting, increasing concentration in competition, pain control, and strengthening adherence to the rehabilitation program.