Key result
Return to sport post-MI brings major psychosocial challenges, underscoring the need for tailored support.
Why the study?
People who had a myocardial infarction and regularly engaged in sport face psychosocial challenges and lack tailored support when returning to sport.
This qualitative study highlights the psychosocial challenges active individuals face after an MI and underscores the need for tailored, sport-specific guidance during cardiac rehabilitation.
May warrant psychosocial screening in post-MI cardiac rehab for active patients; leaves open whether sport-specific interventions improve resumption rates.
Objective To explore people's perceptions and experiences of returning to sport after a myocardial infarction. Design Qualitative descriptive methodology informed the study design. Data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews that were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Thomas' General Inductive Analysis. Setting Interviews were conducted either in the participants’ homes via telephone or video conferencing, or in person at the research institution. Participants People who had experienced a myocardial infarction within the past 2 years and regularly engaged in sport prior to their myocardial infarction. Results Four themes were identified: (1) reconciling an active identity with a new reality; (2) feeling vulnerable; (3) the need for strong and relevant support; and (4) navigating their own path. Experiencing a myocardial infarction significantly challenged participants’ active identities and sporting aspirations. Psychosocial challenges such as fear, uncertainty and lack of relevant information and support were prominent during recovery. Despite this, participants were highly motivated and navigated their return to sport journey by listening to their body and decision-making underpinned by their personal risk tolerance. Conclusions The study provides insights into the broader psychosocial needs of people wanting to return to sport after myocardial infarction. Providing tailored specific advice and support that is relevant for active individuals is essential to empower them to confidently and safely return to sport.
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Gray et al. (2026) studied Myocardial infarction (n=15). Returning to sport after myocardial infarction was evaluated on Perceptions and experiences of returning to sport. Returning to sport after a myocardial infarction involved navigating psychosocial challenges such as fear and uncertainty, highlighting the need for tailored support for active individuals.
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