Evidence-based return to sport decision-making — criteria-based testing, psychological readiness, load management, and sport-specific protocols for ACL, muscle injuries, and more.
4.9
Rating
195+
Students
4.5h
Content
28
Lessons
Afonso Vera
MSc Physiotherapy (MMU) · BSc Sport Rehab (Salford) · 5yr MSK · 8yr Rugby
Return to Sport Framework
Evidence-based physiotherapy education
£39
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Apply the return to sport continuum framework in clinical practice
Use objective criteria-based testing for return to sport clearance
Assess and address psychological readiness for return to sport
Apply evidence-based RTS criteria after ACL reconstruction and muscle injuries
Monitor and manage training load during return to sport progressions
Apply sport-specific return to sport protocols for rugby, football, and running
7 modules · 28 lessons · 4.5h total
Objective: Establish the theoretical framework for evidence-based return-to-sport decision-making.
The return to sport continuum: return to participation, return to sport, return to performance
Biopsychosocial model in return to sport: physical, psychological, contextual factors
Shared decision-making: athlete, clinician, coach, and medical team
Ethical considerations: pressure to return and athlete welfare
Key concepts: Return to sport continuum, biopsychosocial model, shared decision-making, athlete welfare
Objective: Apply objective criteria-based testing for return to sport clearance.
Limb symmetry index (LSI): rationale, calculation, and benchmarks
Strength testing: isokinetic vs isometric vs functional strength tests
Hop tests: single-leg hop, triple hop, crossover hop — norms and interpretation
Speed and agility testing: 10m sprint, change of direction, T-test
Key concepts: Limb symmetry index, hop tests, isokinetic testing, change of direction, return to sport criteria
Objective: Assess and address psychological barriers to return to sport.
Fear of re-injury: prevalence, assessment, and impact on outcomes
ACL-RSI and IKDC: psychological readiness questionnaires
Psychological interventions: imagery, goal-setting, graduated exposure
When to refer to sports psychology: recognising psychological barriers
Key concepts: Fear of re-injury, ACL-RSI, psychological readiness, sports psychology, kinesiophobia
Objective: Apply evidence-based return to sport criteria after ACL reconstruction.
ACL graft biology: healing timeline and graft maturation
Time-based vs criteria-based return to sport: the evidence
Functional testing battery: strength, power, agility, psychological readiness
Re-injury risk: factors, prevention, and long-term athlete management
Key concepts: ACL reconstruction, graft maturation, criteria-based RTS, re-injury risk, functional testing
Objective: Apply evidence-based return to sport criteria after hamstring and other muscle injuries.
Hamstring injury rehabilitation: progressive loading to return to sprint
Running mechanics assessment: high-speed treadmill analysis
Criteria for return to sprint: strength, flexibility, functional tests
Re-injury prevention: Nordic curl, Copenhagen adduction, load monitoring
Key concepts: Hamstring rehabilitation, return to sprint, Nordic curl, Copenhagen adduction, re-injury prevention
Objective: Apply load monitoring principles to guide safe return to sport progressions.
Acute:chronic workload ratio: calculation, interpretation, and limitations
Session RPE and training load monitoring in team sports
GPS and wearable technology in load monitoring
Graduated return to full training: phase-by-phase progression
Key concepts: Acute:chronic workload ratio, session RPE, GPS monitoring, training load, graduated return
Objective: Apply sport-specific return to sport criteria for rugby, football, and running athletes.
Rugby union: contact clearance, scrum readiness, tackle mechanics
Football: change of direction, kicking mechanics, match simulation
Running athletes: return to running programme, gait retraining
Documenting and communicating return to sport decisions
Key concepts: Sport-specific RTS, rugby clearance, return to running, gait retraining, contact clearance
£39
One-time payment Lifetime access
30-day money-back guarantee
This course includes:
7 comprehensive video modules
Return to sport testing protocol PDFs
Bilingual EN + PT content
Evidence-based reference lists
Certificate of completion
Lifetime access
Join 195+ students who have elevated their return to sport practice with evidence-based frameworks.
One-time payment Lifetime access 30-day money-back guarantee