Supporting transplant athletes: perspectives on delivery of a sports performance and well-being service at the British Transplant Games

Evidence suggests that engaging in physical activity improves the mental andphysical health of transplant recipients. An opportunity to be more activecould be participating in the national and international network of TransplantGames. Although the literature on motivations for and the experience oftaking part in the Games is available, little is known about what role appliedpractitioners, specifically sport and exercise psychologists could play astransplant recipients prepare and compete. This paper offers perspectives onthe provision of a sports performance well-being service delivered at theBritish Transplant Games. The paper consists of several sections. The firstoffers background and how the service came into being. The second providesdetails of the model and philosophy that underpinned the service delivery. Thethird includes the trainee and exercise practitioner’s casework and thechallenges therein. Informed by the team’s reflections and post-games surveythe final section proposes recommendations for future applied sport andexercise services at this unique event