Return to sport, integrating the process from conventional rehabilitation up to reconditioning: A narrative review

Abstract

Introduction: The process of return to sport after injury, has traditionally been approached in 2 separate stages; first the athlete is treated the medical service through conventional rehabilitation processes and is then referred to the sports team (coach and / or physical trainer) who complete the return to the sport activity. This approach may lack communication and coordination between both teams and may be insufficient for the demands of the current sports environment, causing longer processes of return to sport and greater risk of re-injury. The objective of this manuscript is to document the current models of return to sport, its stages, objectives and contents. Material and method: A comprehensive review of publications was carried out, including observational studies, clinical trials, reviews, consensus, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, related to treatment, rehabilitation, readaptation and return to sport. Results: The description of a model of return to sports of gradual progression that includes 3 stages was found: return to participation, readaptation to sport and return to maximum sports performance. The stage of return to participation aims to eliminate the symptoms and regain the functionality of the athlete in their non-sports activities, through conventional rehabilitation processes. The stage of readaptation to sport aims to achieve asymptomatic performance of training and competition activities, through the rehabilitation of deficiencies caused by the injury and the maintenance and / or development of motor skills with modified training. The stage of return to maximum sports performance includes specific sports training to reach the level of performance prior to the injury. Conclusions: This model could be associated with greater success in returning to sports activity and lower risk of recurrence of the injury.