Ep 193: On the path to performing after injury, with Andrew Mitchell
Sep 2, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Andrew Mitchell, a specialist from Red Bull Leipzig in athlete rehabilitation, shares his expertise on guiding injured professional football players back to the field. He introduces a comprehensive 11-phase rehabilitation pathway that tailors recovery plans to individual needs. Andrew emphasizes the importance of flexibility in recovery strategies and accessible performance metrics. He also discusses the critical collaboration required during recovery, especially for complex injuries like ACL tears, highlighting the balance between data analysis and personal care.
A structured return to performance pathway comprises an 11-phase plan that tailors recovery based on injury type and recovery speed.
Understanding the difference between returning to sport and returning to performance is critical for aligning athlete readiness with recovery stages.
Deep dives
The Return to Performance Pathway
A key aspect of supporting athletes returning from injury involves a structured return to performance pathway, which comprises an 11-phase plan. This framework begins with a thorough diagnosis and collaborative planning by the interdisciplinary team, leading to a clear understanding of expectations and timelines for recovery. Initial phases focus on pain relief and adapted conditioning, including upper body workouts even when the athlete is immobilized. The pathway gradually progresses through gym-based exercises aimed at restoring movement patterns, strength, and coordination before moving to outdoor grass phases, culminating in full team training and match participation.
Flexibility and Adaptability in Recovery
The return to performance pathway emphasizes flexibility and adaptability based on the injury type and recovery speed. Each phase can be traversed at varying rates; for instance, a minor injury might allow a player to advance through several phases in one session, while a significant injury like an ACL tear entails a more extended, monitored process. The integration of simple and accessible metrics, such as hop tests and basic strength evaluations, ensures that practitioners can measure progress without relying on expensive technology. This systematic approach not only empowers practitioners to tailor recovery plans to individual needs but also aligns the expectations of the coaching staff and athletes.
Distinguishing Return to Sport from Performance
Understanding the difference between returning to sport and returning to performance is critical in the rehabilitation process. The pathway is structured around clear terminology—return to running, training, and playing—reflecting the specific stages of recovery and ensuring that athletes are prepared to perform at their best. Long-term observation and performance data are essential for assessing how well an athlete has truly recovered, as superficial evaluations after a few matches can be misleading. Moreover, educating the athletes about their recovery process and linking exercises to performance outcomes fosters a collaborative recovery environment and enhances their commitment to rehabilitation.
Andrew Mitchell (RB Leipzig) knows a thing or two about supporting athletes to return to play after injury, especially in professional football/soccer.
Today, Andrew explains his return to performance pathway, which is a criteria-based approach to help you and the athlete keep focused on the athlete's return to performance goal.
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RESOURCES
Andrew's return to performance pathway: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/josptopen.2024.1240
Clinical pearls for supporting return to performance: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/josptcases.2021.0103
Control-chaos continuum for progressing rehabilitation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30737202/