What term describes the psychological phenomenon where an individual refuses to acknowledge an injury and its consequent limitations?

The term that accurately describes the psychological phenomenon where an individual refuses to acknowledge an injury and its resultant limitations is denial. Denial is a defense mechanism where a person subconsciously protects themselves from accepting painful or distressing realities. In the context of sports medicine, when an athlete sustains an injury, they may refuse to acknowledge the severity or existence of the injury as a way to cope with the fear of loss of play, potential repercussions, or changes to their athletic identity. This can hinder their ability to seek appropriate treatment and follow rehabilitation protocols, ultimately affecting their recovery process.

Other terms like regret, anger, and acceptance reflect different emotional responses that may occur during the process of dealing with injuries and limitations, but they do not specifically capture the refusal to acknowledge the injury itself, which is central to the phenomenon of denial.