03/01/2018
Mijn specialiteit 💪😁
HOW TO PERIODISE/PROGRESS REHAB FOR RETURN TO SPORT!!
Look at the awesome image below. In my experience, most physios only take you through stage 1, some through stage 2, and barely any through stage 3 or 4!
Remember - just because you're pain free and have full range of movement DOESN'T mean you're ready to return to play. Let alone return to PERFORM (there is a difference, where return to perform means you’re ready to not just participate, but also to dominate).
WHAT TO DO - increase strength so that it's the same as the other side in several different strength tests of that muscle, then develop power in that area, and finally meet return to play criteria which should stress the body part in ways that it will be stressed in competition.
EXAMPLE - hamstring tear:
Phase 1 physios - pain-free and full range of movement, you're good to go
Phase 2 physios - pain-free, full range of movement, and even strength each side in leg curls and hamstring bridge, you're good to go
Phase 3/4 physios - pain-free, full range, even strength, gradual return to sprinting, maximal sprint speed returned, sprinting under fatigue, sport specific skills that stress hamstring (e.g. Kicking in rugby) tested, both maximally and under fatigue.
Find a physio who understands that rehab is about more than just pain and range of movement.
**As both a Physio and strength and conditioning coach myself, I’m thinking of writing an in-depth blog on ‘a physios guide to strength and conditioning’ for Physio Network. Let me know below if you’d be interested!
Pic courtesy of ClinicalAthlete