What helps to explain an athlete's ability to play with a broken foot and not feel the pain until much later

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gate-control theory of pain suggests that the perception of pain is not simply dictated by the body's injury or damage but is modulated by various factors, including psychological and neurological factors. According to this theory, pain signals must pass through a "gate" in the spinal cord, which can be opened or closed depending on the sensory information received by the nervous system. Thus, it is possible that an athlete's intense focus on the game could override the pain signals coming from their broken foot, at least for a short period of time.

What Helps to Explain an Athlete's Ability to Play with a Broken