FSHP Academy
Prehab & Rehabilitation — all lessons

Foundations of MSK Rehabilitation

Principles of injury prevention and recoveryBiomechanics and movement analysisUnderstanding pain science and tissue healing

Rehab Exercise Strategies

Progressive loading techniquesProgram design for rehabilitationPhased rehab programming: acute to return-to-performance

Prehab 121 Protocols (intermediate–late stage)

ActivationEarly strengtheningAdvanced strengtheningPlyometrics in rehabilitationReturn-to-sport exercises

Prevention, Surgery and Return to Sport

Injury prevention programmesThe preoperative phase (prehabilitation)Role of criteria-based progressionsReturn-to-sport testingIntegration with strength and conditioning

Case Studies

Case studies and real-world client scenarios

Phased rehab programming: acute to return-to-performance

The stages of rehabilitation from acute management to return to performance, with goals and example activities for each phase.

Advanced Evidence: Strong evidence 3 min read Reviewed 2026-10-31 Status: draft

Learning objectives

  • Describe phases from acute to return to performance
  • Set goals and activities for each phase
  • Explain the return-to-sport continuum
  • Coordinate phases across the team

Before this lesson

Why this matters

A clear phase structure helps everyone know where an athlete is, what comes next, and who leads.

Criteria-based rehabilitation stages and the return-to-sport continuum A staircase of five rehabilitation stages: protect and settle, restore motion and activation, build strength, power and plyometrics, and sport-specific training with return to sport. Each step has an example progression criterion, such as strength reaching about 80 percent of the uninjured side, or limb symmetry above 90 percent on strength and hop tests before return to sport. Beneath, a bar shows the return-to-sport continuum: return to participation, return to sport and return to performance.

1. Protect & settle

✓ Pain/swelling controlled; safe ROM

2. Restore motion & activation

✓ Full ROM; activation without pain

3. Build strength

✓ Strength ≥ ~80% of other side

4. Power & plyometrics

✓ Hop tests, landing quality

5. Sport-specific & RTS

✓ Strength/hop LSI ≥ 90%; confidence

 Return to participation Return to sport Return to performance Criteria are examples; real criteria depend on the injury, sport and clinical team. Progress on criteria, not the calendar alone.
Figure 1. Criteria-based rehabilitation stages and the return-to-sport continuum. — Original diagram, FSHP Academy (schematic, not to scale).

Phases

PhaseGoalsExamples
1. Protect & settleManage pain/swelling; protect healing; keep fitness elsewherePEACE & LOVE [dubois2020]; upper-body and opposite-limb training
2. Restore motion & activationFull range; pain-free activationIsometrics, ROM work, gait
3. Build strengthRestore strength and capacityProgressive resistance
4. Power & plyometricsRestore elasticity and speedHops, jumps, running progression
5. Sport-specific & RTSSport demands, confidenceDrills, team training

Return-to-sport continuum

The Bern consensus describes return to participation → return to sport → return to performance [ardern2016]. Decisions are shared among athlete, clinicians and coaches.

Why criteria matter

After ACL reconstruction, meeting return-to-sport criteria and delaying return were associated with substantially lower re-injury risk [grindem2016].

Common mistakes and misconceptions

Case study

A footballer with a grade 2 hamstring strain progresses: week 1 protected walking and upper-body work; weeks 2–3 isometrics and bridges; weeks 3–5 RDLs and Nordics; weeks 5–6 progressive running to sprinting; week 7 team training after meeting criteria.

Further learning: video lessons

Video links are only marked “verified” after a human has watched them. Unverified entries open a YouTube search for that channel and topic rather than a guessed link.

Practical demo needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Stages of rehab

physiotherapy educators (search, e.g. E3 Rehab, Physiotutors)

You will understand: phases from injury to return to sport

Why: Clinician-led practical content; verify the specific video.
Technical needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Return-to-sport continuum

BJSM (search)

You will understand: the Bern consensus

Why: Primary source.

Knowledge check

Knowledge check · 0/5

1. The Bern consensus describes return to sport as…

Answer B. Ardern et al. (2016).

2. The early phase focuses on…

Answer B. Protect and settle.

3. Plyometrics usually begin…

Answer B. Criteria-based.

4. Return to performance means…

Answer B. Final stage.

5. Phases should be progressed by…

Answer B. Criteria plus biology.

Short-answer & application questions

  1. Outline a phased plan for a hamstring strain.
  2. Define criteria for moving between phases.
  3. Explain the return-to-sport continuum to an athlete.

Key takeaways

  • Rehab typically moves through protection, restoration, strengthening, power and sport-specific phases.
  • Return to sport is a continuum: participation → sport → performance.
  • Phases overlap; progression is criteria-based, not purely time-based.
  • Each phase has distinct goals and leaders.

Connected topics

prehab rehab

Role of criteria-based progressions

prehab rehab

Return-to-sport testing

prehab rehab

Integration with strength and conditioning

References

  1. Ardern CL, Glasgow P, Schneiders A, et al. (2016). 2016 Consensus statement on return to sport from the First World Congress in Sports Physical Therapy, Bern. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(14):853–864. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096278 Guideline check pending
  2. Dubois B, Esculier JF (2020). Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(2):72–73. Source check pending
  3. Grindem H, Snyder-Mackler L, Moksnes H, Engebretsen L, Risberg MA (2016). Simple decision rules can reduce reinjury risk by 84% after ACL reconstruction: the Delaware-Oslo ACL cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(13):804–808. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096031 Cohort check pending

Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.