Sports conditioning is an injury prevention and performance improvement program. A physical therapist is skilled in the evaluation and treatment of physically-active individuals on all levels and of all ages. By performing a thorough evaluation, a physical therapist can determine the best treatment options to optimize activity performance and injury prevention. Sports conditioning is designed to prepare an athlete for the competitive trials and specific requirements of their sport. This program uses movement analysis to determine any factors which could make the athlete prone to injury during their sport(s). Movement analysis may include gait analysis, throwing, hitting, swinging, lifting, and body mechanics. Using movement analysis allows skilled therapists to determine the best training techniques and preventative interventions to ensure enhanced performance and injury prevention for each individual athlete.  Studies have found that good conditioning can prevent injuries from occurring, and can help to lessen the severity of an injury and help speed the ensuing recovery after an injury.

The foundation of performance enhancement is provided by a thorough evaluation of the neuromusuloskeletal and cardiovascular-pulmonary systems to allow the physical therapist to determine the athletes’ strength and weaknesses as well as any deficiencies or risks for injury. These strengths and weaknesses are then used to develop a specific training program to address all deficiencies and develop the athletes’ abilities to enhance performance in their sport.

Exercise performance is less accurate and less effective when being performed from a hand-out with little to no instruction (i.e. looking up exercises on-line or from handouts from trainers/coaches).

Physical therapists are skilled in the prescription of specific exercises to heighten flexibility and strength for YOUR specific needs. Physical therapists are skilled in teaching exercises with instruction and modeling, as well as providing feedback. Exercise modeling is effective when demonstrated by a professional at appropriate intervals during teaching. A physical therapist is skilled in providing accurate and precise feedback during the skills acquisition process. Feedback is essential to learning new motor skills; therefore, effective feedback enhances performance and rehab potential. A physical therapist also educates their patients and clients to optimize effectiveness of treatments and programs including education about injury prevention.

CRI physical therapists are available to present to your team or organization at no charge!