Injury Prevention
Prevention is the best cure (1). There are many things both the athlete and Sports Therapist can do to assist injury prevention. For example, research suggests that stretching should be carried out directly after the ‘Cool Down’ (post-exercise) for best results - this is because the muscle temperature remains elevated and more pliable (2). Stretching techniques are often under valued as an excellent and effective means of preventing injury. However, if stretching is to be effective - stretching must be selective, and correctly applied. In cases of muscle strains, consider muscle strengthening, particularly, eccentric muscle strength training (3).
Principles of Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is the successful restoration of the injured athlete to the pre-injury level of physical fitness and competition (4,5), ideally, in the shortest, safest, possible time (6). It is generally accepted that treatment and rehabilitation should be based on sound scientific principles underlying tissue healing (7,8).
Often injuries recur as a result of inadequate rehabilitation, particularly in the absence of proprioception. Poor adherence to treatment and rehab plans is often documented as a limiting factor to the athletes recovery (9). Patient adherence can be enhanced by education, goal setting (9), and motivational strategies (10).
References:
1. Baker, J. (2007). Sports Injury - Prevention is the Best Cure. Journal of Sportex Dynamics. 14, 9-11.
2. Eaton, E. (2004). Injury Prevention: stretching a point? Journal of Sportex Health, 20, 25-27.
3. Roig Pull, M., Ranson, C. (2007). Eccentric muscle action: Implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation. Journal of Physical Therapy in Sport. 8(2), 88-97.
4. Clark, N. (2004). Principles of injury rehabilitation. Journal of Sportex Medicine. 19, 6-10.
5. Smith, G.N. (1998). Return to fitness. In: Orthopaedic Physiotherapy - Ed. Marian Tidswell. London: Mosby.
6. Glasgow, P. (2007). Sports rehabilitation: principles and practice. Journal of Sportex Medicine. 32, 10-16.
7. Bandy, W. D. (1992). Functional rehabilitation of the athlete. Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinics of North America. 1, 269-281.
8. Kannus, P., Parkkari, T.L., Jarvinen, T., et al. (2003). Basic science and clinical studies coincide: active treatment approach is needed after a sports injury. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 13, 150-154.
9. Crossman, J. (1997). Psychological rehabilitation from sports injuries. Sports Medicine, 23(5), 333-339.
10. Ward, S. (2006). Enhancing motivation for rehabilitation adherence. Journal of Sportex Dynamics. 7, 6-8.
.
