Sport Specific Rehabilitation and Training

Sport Specific Rehabilitation and Training

Patients often want to return to recreational or competitive sports and our expert clinicians understand this need.  The primary goal at the Sports Rehabilitation Center is to help patients return to their previous level of activity by the quickest and safest means possible.  By knowing the biomechanics required for various sports, the physical therapists can design programs that achieve the amount of strength, flexibility, range of motion, endurance and balance necessary to safely return to sport.

During sport-specific rehabilitation, patients are introduced to an exercise progression that goes beyond standard weight training.  To assist patients back to their pre-injury level of activity, our professional staff closely monitors progress and incorporates a stepwise progression of activities.  As strength and full range of motion are achieved, patients are given exercises that incorporate balance and proprioception (training the body’s awareness in space).   An example of this exercise is standing on one leg while dribbling a basketball or throwing a ball.  As patients progress, agility training exercises are implemented to enhance quickness and reaction time.  An example of this type of exercise would be to have a patient hop through a specific pattern or to use a slide board, focusing on lateral movements.  Plyometric exercises often involve jumping for the lower extremities or throwing for the upper extremities and are used to train explosive movements.   The further along a patient is in the exercise progression, the more the exercises will mimic the specific motions of a particular sport.  This progression ensures that patients remain challenged, interested, and return to play as strong as possible.

Our professional staff has worked with athletes competing at the highest level in football, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, diving, volleyball, track and field, and gymnastics.  Whether they are treating a recreational or professional athlete, our team of physical therapists understands the importance of getting patients “back in the game.”

Contact us today for more information about sports-specific rehabilitation and physical therapy.