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

Program design for rehabilitation

Designing rehab programmes — assessment-led goals, exercise selection by stage, dosage, frequency and outcome measures.

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

Learning objectives

  • Set rehabilitation goals from assessment and demands
  • Select exercises by tissue, stage and function
  • Prescribe dosage for strength in rehab
  • Track outcomes to guide decisions

Before this lesson

Why this matters

Many rehab plans fail because exercises are too easy, poorly progressed or not linked to goals.

Building the programme

  1. Assessment — findings and diagnosis from the clinician; strength, range, function.
  2. Goals — specific, measurable, tied to demands (e.g., return to football).
  3. Exercise selection — by tissue, stage and function.
  4. Dosage — sets, reps, intensity, rest, frequency.
  5. Progression rules — criteria-based.
  6. Outcomes — measure and review.

Dosage

Strength gains in rehab follow normal training principles: adequate intensity and progression [ratamess2009]. Mechanical loading drives tissue adaptation [khan2009].

GoalTypical dosage
Activation/motor control2–3 × 10–15, low load, high quality
Strength3–4 × 6–12 at RIR 1–3
Power3–5 × 3–6, fast
Endurance2–3 × 15–25

Outcomes

  • Strength (dynamometry, RM tests), range of motion
  • Hop tests and limb symmetry
  • Patient-reported outcome measures
  • Psychological readiness (relevant to return to sport) [ardern2016]

Common mistakes and misconceptions

Case study

A client’s ankle-sprain programme had only band exercises at week 6. Reassessment shows single-leg calf raise 12 vs 28 reps. The trainer adds loaded calf raises and progressive hops; capacity reaches 25 reps by week 10.

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

Designing rehab programmes

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

You will understand: structure and dosage of rehab

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

Outcome measures in rehab

physiotherapy educators (search)

You will understand: choosing outcome measures

Why: Clinical practice.

Knowledge check

Knowledge check · 0/5

1. Rehab exercise intensity should be…

Answer B. Under-dosing is a common error.

2. A patient-reported outcome measure assesses…

Answer B. E.g., KOOS for knees.

3. Limb symmetry index compares…

Answer B. Common in knee rehab.

4. A good rehab goal is…

Answer B. Specific and measurable.

5. How often should rehab progress be reviewed?

Answer B. Frequent review.

Short-answer & application questions

  1. Write SMART goals for an ankle-sprain rehab.
  2. Choose outcome measures for a shoulder rehab programme.
  3. Convert a generic exercise list into a dosed programme.

Key takeaways

  • Rehab programmes start from assessment findings and the person’s goals and demands.
  • Strength dosage in rehab follows the same principles as training — sufficient intensity and progression.
  • Use measurable outcomes: strength, range, hop tests, function and patient-reported measures.
  • Review and adjust every 1–2 weeks.

Connected topics

prehab rehab

Phased rehab programming: acute to return-to-performance

prehab rehab

Role of criteria-based progressions

strength conditioning

Progressive overload and programming variables (sets, reps, tempo)

References

  1. Khan KM, Scott A (2009). Mechanotherapy: how physical therapists' prescription of exercise promotes tissue repair. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(4):247–252. Narrative review check pending
  2. 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
  3. Ratamess NA, Alvar BA, Evetoch TK, et al.; American College of Sports Medicine (2009). Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(3):687–708. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181915670 Position stand check pending

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