Identifying Psychosocial Risk Factors for Sport Injuries in Iranian Elite and Professional Kickboxing Athletes; The Predictive Role of Resilience and Personality Components

Seyedi, Mohammadreza; Azarkhazin, Alireza

doi:10.22089/spsyj.2026.19255.2683

Identifying Psychosocial Risk Factors for Sport Injuries in Iranian Elite and Professional Kickboxing Athletes; The Predictive Role of Resilience and Personality Components

Document Type : Original research

Authors

Mohammadreza Seyedi ¹

Alireza Azarkhazin ²

¹ Department of sports medicine, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.

² Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.

10.22089/spsyj.2026.19255.2683

Abstract

Kickboxing, a high-contact combat sport popular in Iran, carries a significant risk of sports injuries due to its intense physical nature. Understanding the factors influencing injury occurrence and severity is essential for improving training, prevention, and athlete health. This study investigated the relationship between psychological and personality factors and injury outcomes among elite Iranian kickboxers, including both male and female athletes.
Seventy-two elite kickboxers participated. Data included demographic characteristics (age, height, weight, BMI, sports history, previous injury), psychological/personality measures (CD-RISC resilience scale, NEO-FFI five-factor personality inventory), and injury rates/severity. Independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regression were used for analysis. Participants were also stratified by gender and age group (youth vs. adult).
Resilience, extraversion, and neuroticism emerged as significant predictors in the overall model. Resilience significantly predicted injury occurrence in males and adults. Neuroticism played a notable role in females across all groups. Injury severity was significantly associated with decreased extraversion and increased neuroticism, particularly in males and adults. Findings highlight that enhancing psychological resilience plays a key role in injury prevention among elite Iranian kickboxers.

Keywords

Risk factor

Sports injury

Personality

Resilience

Subjects