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Return From Injury
It is
important when returning from injury that the athlete has recovered physically
as well mentally. Knowing when to return can be extremely hard due to several
factors such as severity of the injury, availability of recovery resources and
implementation of rehabilitation. Returning too soon can lead to re-injury,
returning after too long can lead to de-motivation and de-conditioning.
The
following guidelines may assist you in determining whether it’s safe for you to
begin playing your chosen sport again.
•
You should have a pain free range of motion to
the previously injured area during non-exertional and exertional activities.
•
You have no or limited swelling to the injured
area.
•
You have close to full comparative ROM (range of
motion). Compare the injured side to the non-injured side.
•
For lower body injuries you should be able to
perform non-assisted weight bearing activities such as running, squats, etc.
•
You should have close to 90%-100% or above
original strength to the area.
•
For upper body injuries: you should be able to
perform sports specific movements such as throwing (overhead, underarm),
tackling, pushing, pulling with proper technique and pain-free.
•
You should be able to train at the intensity
required to play and perform sports specific movements to the same intensity.
An
important point to consider is not only the physiological standards need to be
attained by the athlete, but the psychological ones as well. The athlete needs
to return feeling confident that the injury will not occur again.
The above
guidelines give you only a small insight into the process of returning from
injury. It is recommended that the return of an athlete to their chosen sport
is accompanied by a physicians appropriate qualified health professionals
examination.