Contrary to what you may have seen—or even experienced firsthand—at large, high-volume therapy clinics, rehabilitation following a sports injury should never be a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. Even when the injury is the same, such as an ankle sprain, the athlete’s specific sport and position must be carefully considered when developing a recovery and return-to-play program. A tailored approach ensures the rehabilitation process is both effective and aligned with the unique physical demands of the athlete’s role.
Individual sports have their own unique movement patterns, conditioning and strength requirements (soccer vs hockey). Broken down even further, the various positions played within the sport itself may require different movement patterns, conditioning and strength requirements (forward vs goalie in hockey). Therefore, each sport AND each position should have its own specific rehabilitation program for an injury.
Some of the things a sport-specific program should address is:
- Mimicking real-game scenarios to prepare the athlete physically and mentally.
- Addressing sport-unique movement patterns and energy demands.
- Reduce the risk of reinjury by ensuring readiness for actual play.
Let’s look at some examples:
1. Soccer Player with an ACL Injury
- Generic rehab might restore strength, range of motion, and basic function.
- Sport-specific rehab includes cutting, pivoting, and kicking drills under game-like conditions.
- Why important? Soccer demands dynamic changes in direction and ball control—skills that general rehab doesn’t fully address.
2. Basketball Player with an Ankle Sprain
- Generic rehab restores balance and ankle strength.
- Sport-specific rehab includes jump-landing mechanics, defensive slides, and explosive direction changes.
- Why important? These sport movements stress the ankle in ways daily activities or gym workouts do not.
3. Sprinter Returning from a Hamstring Strain
- Generic rehab may restore hamstring strength and flexibility.
- Sport-specific rehab integrates acceleration drills, sprint mechanics, and block starts.
- Why important? Sprinting demands precise coordination and high force output, which can’t be fully regained through generic exercises alone.
Sport-specific rehabilitation is crucial when returning to sport after an injury because it ensures the athlete regains the physical, technical, and psychological readiness required for their specific sport. If you have suffered a sports injury, you need to see a therapist who understands and has the knowledge of both the sport AND the position played for a specific rehabilitation program. Okanagan Athletic Therapy has certified athletic therapists who specialize in assessing and treating sports injuries with sport-specific rehabilitation programs. BOOK your appointment with us today.