Chapter 11 Understanding the Basics of Injury Rehabilitation

CHAPTER 11
Understanding the Basics of Injury
Rehabilitation
OVERVIEW
Rehabilitation is the restoration of an athlete to a pre-injury fitness level
through a carefully planned and executed program. These rehabilitation programs
should be implemented and supervised by Health Care Professionals (Athletic
Trainers, Physical Therapists and Medical Doctors). The goal of every rehabilitation
program is to return the athlete to pre-injury participation status as quickly and as
safely as possible.
The rehabilitation process begins as soon as the athlete is injured by
controlling swelling and pain. Once those are controlled, the athlete can work on
restoring range of motion, muscular strength and endurance, neuromuscular
function, and balance. Through the entire rehabilitation process it is important to
try to maintain cardiovascular fitness so that when athlete is ready to return, the he
or she is at close to the same fitness level before being injured. In order to return to
participation there are criteria that must be met; therefore, the athlete should go
through a series of functional testing and progressions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying Chapter 11, the student will be able to:

Explain the PRICE principle.

Describe the stretching techniques used to restore ROM and flexibility.
Describe the basic components of a rehabilitation program.
Identify the individual short-term and long-term goals of a rehabilitation
program.
Describe the criteria and the decision-making process for determining when the
injured athlete may return to full activity.
Discuss which modalities a coach is allowed to use to assist an athlete with
rehabilitation.
Describe the different types of exercises used to build strength including
isometrics, (PREs), isokinetics, and plyometrics.
Explain the concept of neuromuscular control.
Explain functional progressions and give an example of functional tests.

KEY TERMINOLOGY
Functional progression - A series of gradual progressive activities designed to
prepare the individual to return to his/her specific sport
Isometric exercise An exercise that increases static strength where no motion
occurs at the joint
Isokinetic exercise - Uses a fixed speed and a variable resistance to provide the
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Chapter 11 Understanding the Basics of Injury Rehabilitation

maximum amount of resistance through a range of motion

Massage A systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body
Neuromuscular control The mind's attempt to teach the body conscious control
of a specific movement
Plyometric exercise - Uses a quick stretch of a muscle to facilitate a contraction
Progressive resistive exercises (PREs) - Use isotonic contractions of the muscle in
which there is a constant resistance against the muscle as it changes in length

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between short- and long-term goals? Why is each
important in the rehabilitation process?
2. What are the major components that should be included in a rehabilitation
program?
3. At what point in the rehabilitation process is it appropriate to incorporate
functional progression?
4. What are the criteria for returning to participation? Why is it important to set
such criteria?
5. What are the different modalities that can be used to manage an injury? What
are their effects?

CLASS ACTIVITIES
1. Take the class to an athletic training room or local sports medicine clinic to see
the equipment used to rehabilitate an injured athlete. Such devices as an
isokinetic machine, BAPS board, multiaxial machine, weight cuffs, Theraband,
and the use of manual therapy can be demonstrated to show how they
contribute to the total improvement of flexibility and strength of athletes to aid
in their rapid and full recovery.
2. Have the class get into groups, give each group an injury, and have them design
a rehabilitation program for that injury. Discuss the programs with the rest of the
class.
3. Have each member of the class put the types of modalities on each other, or ask
an athletic trainer to apply them in order to experience what the athlete feels.

WORKSHEET ANSWERS
Matching
1.
2.
3.
4.

h
g
d
a

5.
6.
7.
8.

e
b
f
c

Short Answer
9. Control pain and swelling
10.To return the athlete to his/her activity as soon and as safely as possible
11.In order to regain the ability to follow some previously established sensory or
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manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

Chapter 11 Understanding the Basics of Injury Rehabilitation

movement pattern
12.An athlete with a lower extremity injury can utilize pool activities, and bike riding
for conditioning exercises.
13.Hot packs are used most often post-acutely (after swelling has stopped).
14.Used to increase blood and lymphatic flow and facilitate reabsorption of the byproducts of the injury process into the lymphatic system. Heat may also be used
for its analgesic and relaxation effects.
Listing
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

Isometric exercise
PREs
Isokinetic exercise
Plyometric exercise
Agility runs (figure eights, shuttle runs, cariocas)
Side Stepping
Vertical Jumps
Hopping for time or distance

Essay
23-27.An athlete can return to activity once full range of movement, strength,
neuromuscular control, cardiovascular fitness, and sport-specific functional
skills have been achieved. Full confidence must have been regained in order
to return to the sport.

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2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

Chapter 11 Understanding the Basics of Injury Rehabilitation

NAME ______________________________
SECTION__________

CHAPTER 11 WORKSHEET
Understanding the Basics of Injury Rehabilitation
MATCHING: Match the following terms with the appropriate response.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______

1.PREs
2. Isometric Exercise
3. Muscular strength
4. Muscular endurance
5. Isokinetic Exercise
6. Massage
7. Plyometric Exercise
8. Neuromuscular Control

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

The ability to sustain a muscle

contraction over a period of time
Systematic manipulation of the soft
tissues of the body
The minds attempt to teach the
body conscious control of a specific
movement
The ability of a muscle to generate
force
Uses a fixed speed and a variable
resistance to provide maximal
resistance through a ROM
Uses a quick stretch of a muscle to
facilitate a contraction
Uses a static contraction to
increase strength without motion
occurring at the joint
Uses concentric and eccentric
exercises in which there is a
constant resistance against a
muscle as it changes length

SHORT ANSWER: Answer the following questions with a brief response.

9. What are the two things that can be done initially when an injury occurs?
10.What is the long term goal of any rehabilitation program?
11. Why is it important to restore neuromuscular function?

12.How can cardiovascular fitness be maintained in an athlete with a lower

extremity injury?
13.When is a hot pack used?
14.Why are hot packs used in the rehabilitation process?

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2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

Chapter 11 Understanding the Basics of Injury Rehabilitation

LISTING: List the ways in which muscular strength, endurance, and power can be
restored.
15.
16.
17.
18.
List four functional tests used to evaluate an athlete's ability to return to
participation.
19.
20.
21.
22.
ESSAY:
23-27.What are the criteria to return an athlete to activity?

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2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in any
manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.