Understanding the Distinction between Return to Sport and Return to Performance in Injury Rehabilitation

​As a physiotherapist, it is crucial to recognise the differences between the stages of return to sport and return to performance when guiding athletes through the rehabilitation process following an injury. While both stages share the common goal of enabling individuals to resume physical activity, they have distinct objectives and considerations. In this blog, we explore the research-backed reasons behind the differentiation of return to sport and return to performance in the context of injury rehabilitation.

1. Return to Sport: Reintegrating into Competitive Play Returning to sport involves transitioning an athlete back into their chosen sport or activity. It focuses on meeting the physical, technical, and psychological requirements necessary for participation. Here are some key points regarding the return to sport stage:

a. Sport-Specific Skills: Athletes must regain sport-specific skills, techniques, and movements associated with their particular sport. This phase concentrates on refining motor patterns, practicing sport-specific drills, and improving sport-specific strategies to ensure readiness for competitive play.

b. Psychological Readiness: Resuming competitive play involves more than just physical readiness. Athletes must regain confidence, trust in their body’s abilities, and manage any psychological barriers or fears associated with the injury. Addressing the psychological aspect is crucial for a successful return to sport.

c. Gradual Return: The return to sport is a gradual process that involves carefully progressing through training and reintroducing competitive elements. Incremental exposure to game-like scenarios helps athletes adapt and build resilience, reducing the risk of reinjury and enhancing overall performance.

2. Return to Performance: Maximising Athletic Potential While the return to sport stage focuses on resuming participation, the return to performance stage aims to optimize an athlete’s physical capabilities and exceed their pre-injury performance levels. Consider the following aspects related to the return to performance stage:

a. Fine-Tuning and Optimisation: Return to performance involves refining athletic abilities, enhancing physical attributes, and maximising an athlete’s performance potential. The focus shifts to improving speed, power, agility, and overall athletic performance to achieve new levels of excellence.

b. Advanced Training Techniques: Athletes in the return to performance stage employ advanced training methods tailored to their specific sport or activity. This may include high-intensity interval training, sport-specific drills, resistance training, and skill-specific exercises to further enhance their physical abilities.

c. Pushing Boundaries: Unlike the return to sport stage, the return to performance stage involves surpassing pre-injury performance levels. Athletes aim to set new goals, push their boundaries, and reach their peak potential. This stage demands dedication, perseverance, and a strategic approach to training and performance enhancement.

Understanding the differentiation between return to sport and return to performance is vital for physiotherapists guiding athletes through the rehabilitation journey following an injury. The return to sport stage focuses on reintegrating athletes into their chosen sport by addressing sport-specific skills and psychological readiness. On the other hand, the return to performance stage goes beyond resuming participation and strives to maximise an athlete’s potential, pushing their physical capabilities to new levels of excellence. By recognizing and tailoring rehabilitation strategies to these distinct stages, physiotherapists can help athletes achieve a successful recovery and optimise their performance in the long run.

If you would like to complete a return to performance plan, click on the link to book in with one of the physiotherapists at the Double Bay or Coogee clinics.