WHOLE Student Athlete Programming in times of COVID

Support and maintain WHOLE-istic connection at times of physical separation and distancing. We are in an unprecedented time of uncertainty and unfamiliarity with the recent decisions regarding Fall 2020 sports. These decisions have led to many feelings, including anxiety, discomfort and distress, to name a few.

Where do we go from here and how do we get there?

We can and will move forward. There is immense support within athletics and across the University to maintain and improve social, emotional, and physical health. Building and maintaining a connection and a sense of belonging will happen, even while distancing.

Living as a Student Athlete and adjusting to this new environment, is a practice, just like your sport, worked on every day. All of the practice, in your sport and in your life, done in times of challenge, will make you even more capable at handling challenges in the future.

WHOLE Student Athlete@CU has programming aimed at reducing the stress associated with these uncertain times, by creating space and place where the challenges to our Student Athletes are fully acknowledged with systems of support to reduce the adverse impact.

WHOLE will be supporting and helping sustain the ongoing practice.

Why Does WHOLEness Matter?

Wellness, Health and Optimal Life Experience are key to supporting CU student athletes, and are accomplished through CU's comprehensive approach to Physical, Psychological, Academic and Career Health; resulting in the WHOLE Student-Athlete@CU being Life Ready.

This is in support of the 2021-23 Strategic Plan Mission Statement:

"CU Athletics will win championships by recruiting and developing the WHOLE student - athlete and challenging them, coaches and staff to succeed within our culture of excellence."

Innovation

Measuring progress and outcome in all four health domains.
Creating a WHOLE snapshot of student athletes in all four health domains and across time.
Utilizing the WHOLE snapshot to optimize programming at the individual and team levels.

Student-Athlete Wellness

Emotional Health

Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.

Environmental Health

Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being.

Financial Health

Satisfaction with current and future financial situations.

Intellectual Health

Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills.

Occupational Health

Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work.

Physical Health

Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep.

Social Health

Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system.

Spiritual Health

Expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life, including body-centric and mindfulness based practices.

Source: Swarbrick, M. (2006). A wellness approach. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29,(4) 311-3314.

Collaboration Across Campus & System

CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences

William Byrnes, Ph.D. (Integrative Physiology)
Theresa D. Hernández, Ph.D. (Psychology Neuroscience)
Matt McQueen, Sc.D. (Integrative Physiology)
Kenneth P. Wright Jr., Ph.D. (Integrative Physiology)

Funded Research Projects at CU Boulder

Student Athlete Health and Well-Being: Looking at the Past to Inform the Future (Hernández, Principle Investigator) In collecting and utilizing data from former student-athletes to inform current best practices, this study will assess longitudinal patterns of physical and psychological health while paying attention to the presence of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.) and mental health diagnoses in student-athlete alumni compared to cohort matched student non-athlete alumni. The research will also aim to build upon previous related research by assessing socioeconomic and first-generation status as group profiles, as well as modifying factors of student-athlete health following their collegiate careers. The goal of this research is not only to characterize life-course trajectories, but also to utilize this information to identify best practices, thereby creating opportunities to improve and optimize the overall health and well-being of current and future student-athletes. Visit the 2019 tab.

The Pac-12 Concussion Coordinating Unit (CCU) - Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium Data Collection: Establishing a Research Infrastructure and Framework (McQueen, Project Director) This project, co-funded by the NCAA, will create the first full-conference regional research hub of the landmark CARE Consortium. The Consortium is funded by a partnership of the U.S. Department of Defense Military Health System and the NCAA, and is a multi-site, longitudinal investigation of concussion and repetitive head impacts in NCAA athletes and military service academy cadets that addresses major gaps in the understanding of concussion. Through this project, each Pac-12 institution will be able to collect neurocognitive and neurobehavioral data on athletes at baseline, at the time a concussion occurs, and then at multiple time-points over the course of the year following an injury. Visit the 2016 tab.

Health and Wellness: Assessing Student-Athlete Health and Performance (Byrnes, Principle Investigator) This project proposes a comprehensive approach to optimize the academic, athletic, health, and wellness experience of student-athletes. Specifically, the project seeks to assess important indicators of student-athlete health and wellness, integrate key information within the Pac-12 Sports Injury Registry Management and Analytics Program, and implement and disseminate important best practices for sustainable student-athlete training and performance throughout the Pac-12. Visit the 2016 tab.