Performance enhancement in the terminal phases of rehabilitation.

CONTEXT: There is a dearth of literature on the performance enhancement in the recovering athlete in the terminal phases of rehabilitation. There are established training methods that target strength, power, speed, endurance, and metabolic capacity that all lead to performance enhancement. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A PubMed search from 1980 to 2010 was undertaken for articles in English. Additional references were accrued from reference lists of research articles. RESULTS: Multiple options are available to improve strength, power, speed, endurance, and metabolic capacity during rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Sports clinicians have several components to address in the rehabilitation of a recovering athlete in addition to performance enhancement. Sports clinicians should focus their efforts on increasing power, a product of maximum force and speed of performance.

Duke Scholars

Author Michael Patrick Reiman Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Therapy