You may have heard of a Tendinopathy, pain and dysfunction in the tendon. It’s a condition that can be common from an overuse activities. In the world of sports, managing tendon injuries demands a tailored approach, particularly when considering the differences between in-season and out-of-season rehabilitation strategies.
Out-of-Season Rehab
During the off-season, athletes have the luxury of focusing solely on recovery without the pressure of imminent competitions. This period allows for a more controlled rehabilitation process, devoid of the demands of sport-specific training. Here, the emphasis lies on precise control over loads, ensuring that provocative activities are removed from the regimen to facilitate optimal healing. Athletes can afford to prioritise rest and gradual reintroduction of exercises, fostering a nurturing environment for tendon repair and strengthening.
In-Season Management
Conversely, in-season rehabilitation presents a unique challenge, where athletes must strike a delicate balance between recovery and performance. The confines of competition necessitate a specific approach, where rehabilitation must seamlessly integrate into the rigorous training and game schedules. While it’s essential to remain in the gym for consistent upkeep, athletes must exercise caution by avoiding unnecessary high loads and refraining from engaging in additional plays that could exacerbate the injury.
Cross-training techniques become a great supplement to training, offering avenues for maintaining fitness levels without imposing undue stress on the affected tendon. Moreover, measures such as removing compression aid is causing further damage, allowing athletes to navigate the season with resilience and adaptability.
Setting up your Rehab Program
In summary, while out-of-season rehab affords the luxury of time and control, in-season management demands a strategic blend of rehabilitation and performance optimisation to ensure athletes remain competitive while safeguarding their long-term well-being. To help figure out a rehab program suitable for yourself, you can call one of our Total Physiotherapists and organise as assessment to start getting you back on track.
Sarah Pedersen
Physiotherapist
