Quick Update: Becoming a Better Athlete After Injury

In previous posts I have mentioned that FMS scores were showing potential as probability values regarding injury risk as the lowest scores belonged to individuals who had suffered injury. This theory is more difficult to control for in a sport, in this case football, where we put buckets on young peoples heads and dress them up as if they were extras in a Mad Max film while encouraging them to behave as if they were on the Fury Road. However, I have an update regarding FMS scores Pre-Season/Pre-Injury compared to Post Injury/RTP. The pre season and post injury scores, time frame from initial injury to re-test, injury, academic year and athletic status of the patients are as follows:

Pre Season 9 / 4 Weeks Post Injury 12 (anterior rotator cuff/labral injury) – Grade 9 RTP @ 3.5 weeks

Pre Season 10 / 3 Weeks Post Injury 11 (MCL sprain Grade II) – Grade 12 (ETA RTP ready dependent on physician note)

Pre Season 11 / 2.5 Weeks Post Injury 14 (MCL sprain Grade I) – Grade 12 (ETA RTP Full Practice at 3 weeks)

Pre Season 16 / 11 Days Post Injury 18 (MCL Sprain Grade I) - Grade 10 (RTP 11 Days with physician clearance)

The next steps given these results are to implement strength and conditioning programs in collaboration with my coaches. It is becoming more clear to my current student athletes that training to be an athlete is an important part of participating in athletics.