Preparing your athletes for a successful return to competitive sports requires more than just physical recovery—mental readiness is just as crucial. That’s why we’ve developed a series of the 5 best physiotherapy cognitive exercises tailored for the return-to-sports rehabilitation phase. These exercises specifically address common injuries like ankle sprains and fractures, knee injuries (ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL, meniscus), hip and shoulder issues (instability, tears), lower back pain, and tendinopathy (patellar, Achilles).
Using the Sportreact system, you can personalize training programs, track rehabilitation progress, and integrate reactive cues that enhance both mental focus and physical conditioning during drills. This comprehensive approach helps athletes regain their strength and agility while sharpening their cognitive reactions, setting them up for a confident return to play.
1. Reactive lateral hurdle run (ankle, knee injuries...)
Static and dynamic stability of the lower body, along with enhancements in movement mechanics. Incorporating low-intensity plyometrics as a foundation for progressing to high-intensity plyometrics in the subsequent phase of rehabilitation.
Use it for ankle injuries (sprains and fracture), Knee injuries (ligg. ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL, meniscus injury...), groin injuries like adductors strain, tendinopathy (patellar, achilies...). Apply in the "return to sport" rehabilitation phase.
Procedure: The athlete moves laterally over hurdles with pods placed 20 inches apart. A total of 20 visual signals (letters or numbers) will appear. While balancing on one leg, the athlete deactivates the correct signal using the opposite leg, depending on the movement direction. Reaction time for all 20 signals is recorded, and the exercise is performed for 2-3 sets.
2. Reactive single leg stability ft. balance half ball (ankle, knee injuries...)
Development of proprioception, along with dynamic and static stability of the ankle, knee, and hip.
Use it for Ankle injuries (sprains and fracture), Knee injuries (ligg. ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL, meniscus injury...), hip injuries.
Procedure: The athlete balances on one leg on a balance trainer, surrounded by 6 pods arranged in a circle. The pods are positioned to allow deactivation of visual signals with the "free" leg. A total of 15 signals (e.g., heart emoji) will appear, varying in color. The athlete taps the correct signal (e.g., the one with a different color) with their free foot while maintaining balance. The test records the total reaction time for 15 signals, and the exercise is performed for 2-3 sets per leg.
3. Trunk extension on fitball ft. math (back injury, non-spec. back pain)
Activation of the trunk extensors, a key component of functional core stability. Use cases: Back injury, Non-specific low back pain
Use it for Cack injury, Non-specific low back pain
Procedure: The athlete lies prone on a fitball with 4 pods placed in front at a reachable distance. A total of 15 visual signals (e.g., numbers in a math game) will appear. The athlete extends their trunk and reaches out to deactivate the signal, while solving a mental task: identifying a red number, math symbol, and another red number, then selecting the correct result from 4 options. After each activation, they return to the starting position and repeat the process. The test records the total reaction time for 15 signals, and the exercise is performed for 3-4 sets.
4. Reactive shoulder and trunk stability (shoulder joint injury, muscles and tendons)
Intensive demands on shoulder stability through the activation of the rotator cuff muscles, along with significant requirements for trunk stability via the engagement of both deep and superficial trunk musculature in destabilizing conditions.
Use it for Shoulder joint injury, shoulder muscles and tendons injury (overuse, tear, strain) adhesive capsulitis, shoulder instability).
Procedure: The athlete holds a high plank on a medicine ball, centered between 4 pods arranged in a semi-circle at 45° angles. A total of 12 visual signals (e.g., heart) of varying colors will be displayed. The athlete reacts to the correct signal (e.g., the one with a different color) by rolling the ball toward it while keeping their pelvis, trunk, and shoulders stable.
5. Reactive shoulder stability & mobility (joint injury, muscles and tendons)
Development of dynamic shoulder stability through multi-planar movements with progressive resistance, along with the enhancement of strength and power at the end range of motion.
Use it for shoulder joint injury, shoulder muscles and tendons injury (overuse, tear, strain) adhesive capsulitis, shoulder instability).
Procedure: The athlete stands in a parallel stance, using an elastic band for resistance. In front of them are 6 randomly arranged pods at varying heights. A total of 15 visual signals (e.g., numbers and letters) will be displayed. The athlete reacts with their hand to the correct signal (e.g., green number "1") by performing movements like flexion, abduction, or horizontal adduction, based on the signal's direction. They must keep the trunk stable and move only from the shoulder joint.
Want to see more? Explore the full set of reactive physiotherapy exercises HERE!
Implement The 5 Best Physiotherapy Cognitive Exercises in Your Training
In conclusion, a successful return to competitive sports hinges on a balanced approach that addresses both physical recovery and mental preparedness. Our innovative drills are designed specifically for the return-to-sports rehabilitation phase, targeting common injuries such as ankle sprains, knee and hip issues, and lower back pain. By leveraging the Sportreact system, you can create personalized reactive agility training programs, monitor progress, and incorporate reactive cues that boost mental focus and physical performance.
ANDREJ
KEDVES
Meet Andrej: Our resident expert in athlete performance development, kinesiology, and physiotherapy. An active professional kickboxing athlete with the Glory organization and the WAKO World Champion in K1 (2023), Andrej brings over 10 years of sports experience to our team.
At Sportreact, he is responsible for overseeing the comprehensive sports background of our device, ensuring it meets the highest standards for performance enhancement.
