Physical Conditioning

    Sport Specific Evaluation

    and Conditioning Programs

    Injury Prevention, Evaluation

    and Treatment

    Rehabilitation

There are many qualified trainers who can prescribe a conditioning regime for athletes.  However, as the field becomes more and more scientific and as the demands placed upon athletes, particularly children and young adults, continue to grow, it becomes vital that these programs take into account multiple factors affecting the athletes.  

First, the structural composition of the athlete’s bodies needs to be evaluated thoroughly, especially any weaknesses or past injuries that may be contributing to any current problems or performance issues.  The demands on the body of specific sports also need to be taken into account, and most importantly, a program must be tailored to allow the athlete, especially the competitive athlete, to participate over the long term -- not just the short “sprint”.  Although some coaches are well versed in training and/or have trainers on hand, in these days of specialization, many coaches spend much of their time becoming experts in the execution of their sport and not in the intricacies of training and injuries.  

Also, some trainers use “cookie cutter” programs that unfortunately don’t take into account the philosophy, which is appropriate, at times, of “less is more”.  Some end up pushing the athlete too hard, and too fast which can result in injuries.  Increased performance must go hand in hand with injury prevention and not be at the expense of safety or the athlete’s health and future. This is a particularly difficult task with specific sports where there may be intense pressure and competitiveness, and/or when titles, and many times unfortunately, egos and money are on the line.  

Of course, there is no guarantee that any specific training program will produce winners or prevent injuries, but the odds go way up when you start with an appropriate evaluation and program.  At USA Center we work with the athletes, parents and coaches to insure the athlete is in the best place, and with the best team for producing optimal results.  

Injuries

Another situation addressed through this division is the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries.   Over and over again, we’ve seen athletes go from doctor to doctor and still not have an answer.  There are many experienced and dedicated orthopedic physicians available to diagnose and treat athletes.  The vast majority do a great job, particularly when there is a straight forward injury such as a fracture.  The real challenge comes when an injury or pain syndrome is not straight forward, such as with sport specific, and/or, overuse injuries.

In some cases there is a correct diagnosis, but no clear cut treatment plan and the athlete is not sure when and even more importantly, how, to return to activity.   Many athletes and families we’ve worked with have no idea that they may have benefited from physical therapy and what the benefits of such treatment might be.  Again, although many coaches have experience and training in injuries, some do not, and may “strongly encourage” an athlete to return to full activity and “tough it out”.  Although occasionally, and with certain injuries, that might work, other times it can lead to chronic injury and/or pain and sometimes even destroy a young athlete’s entire career.  This is the type of situation where the more “guess work” can be minimized, the better.  

The faculty and referral base at USA Center, are chosen specifically for their ability to understand, diagnose and treat sport specific injuries and to work closely with the athlete regarding the type and rate of rehabilitation.  

For more information or questions, please feel free to contact us.