Written By: Taylor Hensh, PT, DPT, CSCS
Multidisciplinary Approach to Athlete Rehabilitation
Rehabilitating athletes effectively requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving collaboration among physical therapists, athletic trainers, physicians, nutritionists, and mental health professionals. This comprehensive strategy ensures that all aspects of the athlete’s recovery are addressed, promoting optimal healing and performance (Brennan et al., 2017). Consistent terminology across the care team enhances trust, understanding, and accountability throughout the rehabilitation process (Cook & Finch, 2014).
Individualized Return to Sport Progression
Returning to sport after an injury is not a one-size-fits-all process; it is highly individualized and depends on various factors, including the type of sport, body part involved, the athlete’s position, and competition level (Ardern et al., 2016). Clear communication with athletes, their parents, and coaches about this progression helps set realistic expectations and fosters a supportive environment.
Return to Sport Terminology
1. Return to Participation
Return to participation signifies a modified return to sport. This stage involves:
- Non-contact, non-reactive environments: Athletes engage in controlled activities that minimize risk.
- Progression to open, contact, reactive environments: Gradual increase in complexity and intensity of activities.
- Continued physical therapy: Focused on sport-related activities to prepare for full return.
- Suboptimal performance: Athletes have not yet reached pre-injury performance levels (Dijkstra et al., 2017).
2. Return to Sport
At this stage, the athlete:
- Engages in full sport activities: Including competition, practices, and training sessions.
- Has not yet achieved pre-injury performance: Still working towards previous or desired performance levels (Ardern et al., 2016).
3. Return to Performance
This final stage indicates that the athlete:
- Has reached or surpassed pre-injury levels: Achieving or exceeding previous performance standards.
- Is fully reintegrated into the sport: Participating without restrictions and performing at peak levels (Brennan et al., 2017).
Measuring Progress and Readiness
The continuum of return to sport does not follow a fixed timeline but is based on objective measurements and sport-specific tests. Objective tests assess physical readiness, while subjective assessments gauge psychological readiness. Both components should align to ensure a safe return to sport (Langford et al., 2019). Open communication fosters trust and sets realistic expectations, benefiting all stakeholders involved in the athlete’s rehabilitation (Cook & Finch, 2014).
We understand the impact communication has on our patient outcomes. The conversations we have with our patients help us to craft treatment plans, set expectations, motivate, and promote ongoing health. We hope to connect with you and provide the encouragement you need every step of the way to return to the life you desire – stronger and more equipped with a mindset for success!
References
Langford, J. L., Webster, K. E., & Feller, J. A. (2019). A prospective investigation of patient expectations, return to play, and rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 22(8), 915-920.
Ardern, C. L., Taylor, N. F., Feller, J. A., & Webster, K. E. (2016). A systematic review of the psychological factors associated with returning to sport following injury. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 47(17), 1120-1126.
Brennan, G. P., Fritz, J. M., Hunter, S. J., Thackeray, A., Delitto, A., & Erhard, R. E. (2017). Identifying subgroups of patients with acute/subacute “nonspecific” low back pain. Spine, 32(7), 1261-1266.
Cook, J. L., & Finch, C. F. (2014). The right phrase: The impact of terminology on trust in sports injury research. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13(4), 399-402.
Dijkstra, H. P., Pollock, N., Chakraverty, R., & Ardern, C. L. (2017). Return to play in elite sport: A shared decision-making process. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(7), 419-420.
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