Hamstring Rehabilitation Programme
Case Study: Client A - Hamstring Rehabilitation Programme
Ten days before a key game, Client A tore a hamstring muscle in the right leg. The initial treatment prescribed was; rest, icing and a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Team Fitness instigated the following rehabilitation programme:
Day 1: Swimming pool, non-weight bearing, very short range of motion (ROM) exercises. Between workouts Client A was instructed to rest and ice.
Days 2 - 4: Client A walked in the pool for 20 minutes. Light massage was introduced, followed by Schwinn static bike work - with a lowered saddle to ensure a reduced ROM for the affected leg.
Days 5 -7: All pool work was replaced by full weight bearing, medium paced walking programme. This progressed to fast walking and then jogging, with a short stride pattern throughout.
Day 8: A morning session of jogging at a normal stride pattern, followed by an afternoon session at a medium pace.
Day 9: Client A was introduced to intervals of 1 minute jogging, 30 seconds medium pace and 5 seconds sprint. The late afternoon session (maximum time for rest and to check for reaction) was a repeat of the morning session with 10-second sprints for 10 sets.
Day 10: With the leg strapped, Client A re-joined the team for training. Extensive stretching and massage.
Day 11: Match Day. Although strapped, and slightly down on speed, Client A played the full match with no post-match problems.
Note: Throughout the rehabilitation programme, Team Fitness instructed Client A to stop if there was any discomfort in the affected leg, before the pain threshold. The Client also continued to undertake his upper body weight training, but only in a seated position.
