Sport specific rehabilitation: The Barcelona football club vision

Abstract

Following an injury, the appropriate recovery methodology is vital to return athletes quickly and safely to their sport. Traditionally, rehabilitation stages are planned according to pre-established milestone. In this way, if a re-injury occurs, it is possible to exactly identify at what stage something may have not been managed appropriately. During rehabilitation, adequate and appropriate cognitive and neuromuscular skills should be maintained, allowing the athlete to protect the injured part during the biological time needed for it to heal. An athlete should be exposed to their sport specific skills as much as possible, adapting intensity, velocity and power. This would allow adaption and healing of the injured tissue, restoring as quickly as possible the specific movements or loads expected from the injured muscle or joint.