Designing a Return to Training Model for Professional Athletes after Sport Injury

Abstract

Rehabilitation for return to training is an interdisciplinary, specific and individualised process to achieve optimal availability for competition after an athlete's sports injury. This process requires a transversal, specific, progressive and previously planned design. The model will be individualized according to the injury, the athlete, the sport and its competitive schedule. The design is divided into 3 different phases and the duration of each one will be determined by premises previously set out for the achievement of specific clinical and conditional goals. Decision making process is assessed by objective information, but performance on professional context is a key factor to consider.