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

## TL;DR

This paper explores how sports performance and well-being services can support transplant athletes at the British Transplant Games.

## Contribution

It introduces a new model for delivering applied sport and exercise psychology services to transplant recipients.

## Key findings

- A service model was developed to support transplant athletes' performance and well-being.
- Challenges in delivering the service were identified through trainee and practitioner casework.
- Recommendations were proposed for future applied services at the Transplant Games.

## Abstract

Evidence suggests that engaging in physical activity improves the mental and physical health of transplant recipients. An opportunity to be more active could be participating in the national and international network of Transplant Games. Although the literature on motivations for and the experience of taking part in the Games is available, little is known about what role applied practitioners, specifically sport and exercise psychologists could play as transplant recipients prepare and compete. This paper offers perspectives on the provision of a sports performance well-being service delivered at the British Transplant Games. The paper consists of several sections. The first offers background and how the service came into being. The second provides details of the model and philosophy that underpinned the service delivery. The third includes the trainee and exercise practitioner's casework and the challenges therein. Informed by the team's reflections and post-games survey the final section proposes recommendations for future applied sport and exercise services at this unique event.