Military veteran athletes' experiences of competing at the 2016 Invictus Games: a qualitative study.

The study provides insight into the multitude of motives military veterans have for engaging in sport, whilst also demonstrating the novel organizational demands that veteran athletes encounter. The findings also offer preliminary insight regarding the impact of the Games and the potential for psychoeducation program implementation to support athletes post-Games.Implications for RehabilitationThe Invictus Games were created for military veterans to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate wider understanding and respect.Findings highlight that military veterans have unique motives to compete at the Invictus Games, including "reconnection with previously military life" and "being a role model".Whilst veterans encounter team and culture organizational stressors while competing, they share similar post-Games experiences to full-time athletes, including the concept of "post-games blues".Experiences shared by military veterans at the Invictus Games can aid in the promotion of sport as a viable form of recovery.Primary and secondary stress management strategies should be implemented with military veterans to reduce organizational stressors and their responses to them.Psychoeducation programmes should be introduced pre-Games to better prepare military veterans for their post-Games experience.