Breaking the Cycle of Injury:

The Importance of Proper Return-to-Sport Protocols

In the world of athletics, injuries are unfortunately a part of the game. From minor sprains to more severe strains, athletes face the constant threat of injury, and the impact of those injuries can extend well beyond the initial recovery period. The biggest predictor of future injuries? Past injuries. Even something as seemingly benign as an ankle sprain can potentially lead to more severe, long-term consequences, such as ACL tears or chronic back pain.

For many athletes, the road to recovery isn’t just about physical healing—it’s about getting back to their sport in a way that minimizes future risk. Yet, all too often, players return to the field, court, or track before they are truly ready, setting themselves up for a cycle of recurrent injuries and prolonged pain. How can we break this cycle and ensure athletes can return to their sport safely and with the longevity needed to enjoy their careers to the fullest?

The Risk of Premature Return to Sport

When athletes rush back into their sport too soon, they risk re-injury or developing new injuries. Incomplete healing can leave deficits in critical areas like strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Research has shown that these deficits significantly increase the risk of reinjury.

But it’s not just about physical strength or flexibility. The ability to perform functional movements—such as squats, lunges, and jumps—play a pivotal role in an athlete’s readiness. Balance and coordination are essential too. And let’s not forget the psychological component: an athlete’s mental readiness can influence their physical recovery as much as their body’s ability to heal.

Unfortunately, many athletes lose valuable opportunities because they can’t return to their previous level of play due to persistent injuries or ongoing pain. Oftentimes, they were pushed back into action too quickly, before their body was fully prepared to handle the physical demands of their sport. This leads to a frustrating, self-perpetuating cycle where pain and injury prevent full recovery, and the athlete is never able to perform at their peak potential.

How Do We Stop the Cycle?

The key to preventing future injuries and allowing athletes to return to their sport safely is a comprehensive, well-designed return-to-sport protocol. This isn’t just about ticking boxes on a rehabilitation checklist—it’s about ensuring that athletes are truly ready to resume their activities with a minimized risk of re-injury.

An effective return-to-sport program includes extensive testing and evaluation, specifically designed to assess an athlete’s readiness. High-level, sport-specific testing, conducted after the initial healing period, can identify any deficits in strength, mobility, and function. These assessments don’t just determine whether the athlete can return to their sport—they also measure the likelihood of future injuries and whether the athlete can handle the stresses of competition without putting themselves at risk.

The Synergy Approach: The 40-Minute Readiness Test

At Synergy Physical Therapy and Wellness, we’ve developed a 40-minute Readiness Test specifically designed to evaluate an athlete’s ability to return to their sport after an injury. This test is performed once the healing process is complete, whether the athlete has undergone formal rehabilitation or simply rested to recover.

The goal of the Readiness Test is to give both the athlete and their healthcare provider confidence in the decision to return to play. While no single test can guarantee an athlete won’t experience future injuries, a comprehensive, multi-faceted assessment can provide valuable insight into their physical and psychological readiness.

By utilizing a combination of highly researched and sport-specific tests, we can evaluate the critical factors that influence the risk of reinjury—such as movement patterns, strength deficits, and psychological readiness—and help athletes make an informed decision about their return to sport. This approach significantly reduces the chance of setbacks and allows athletes to return to play with greater confidence and fewer risks.

Conclusion

It’s easy for athletes to fall into the trap of rushing back into action too quickly. But to truly protect their long-term health, minimize pain, and safeguard their athletic careers, a well-designed return-to-sport protocol is essential. By focusing on sport-specific readiness tests, addressing physical and psychological deficits, and being cautious with return-to-play decisions, we can ensure that athletes not only recover but thrive.

At Synergy Physical Therapy and Wellness, we are dedicated to providing athletes with the tools and insights they need to break the cycle of injury and return to their sport stronger, safer, and more confident than before.

Written by Dr. Derrick Penticuff PT, DPT, ATC, LSVT Certified Clinician; published electronically April 3, 2025