Using Olympic Inspiration For Modern Physical Therapy

Greece created the Olympic games and they've been providing inspiration for athletes across the world ever since. This has been most clearly seen in the development of new therapies based on Olympic principles - NPR highlights the benefits heptathlete star Annie Kunz derived from her own Olympic-inspired workout and recovery ideals. While the Olympic games are a great way for athletes and countries to show off their best work, they’re also a real-life lab for the development and practicing of new physical therapies and other recovery techniques.

Fast-track service

One trend that has arisen out of amateur sports is the need for prompt physiotherapy and other therapies after injury - with little delay. Effective sports therapy is underpinned by quick interventions, and this is becoming ever more clear with new developments in sports science. In particular, one study analyzed by the Military Health System found that fast and effective physical therapy, preferably identified at the time of surgery if injuries are severe enough, can help to save significant time when it comes to recovery. It seems like a simple lesson, but putting physical therapy into the care and recovery plan from the earliest possible juncture is starting to become a new protocol in therapies that can help to gather the maximum benefits from new and cutting-edge therapies.

Intensive therapy

A study published by the NIH Research Matters highlights how stroke victims have a ‘window of recoverability’ in which intense physical therapy and pressure can be of huge benefit. While sports injuries are clearly different, there is a lot of research around the use of recoverability windows. If these windows can be identified in traumatic injuries like ACL and Achilles injuries, so prevalent and career-threatening in footballers, it could greatly improve the chances of total recovery.

Blood restriction

One of the most exciting and important therapies gaining traction in athlete circles is blood restriction training. As Everyday Health outlines, this involves undertaking normal levels of training but using special bands to restrict blood flow at key areas of the body. While the science on this practise has, in the past, been contested, there are now a range of new studies that speak as to the efficacy of this training in boosting recovery and enabling athletes to make greater muscle and flexibility gains. This offers new promise to athletes by building up resilience at the crucial time - prior to big games, or tournaments - and in a way that’s minimally invasive when it comes to dispensing with therapy.

Athletes are always looking for the next edge in their field. Injury is a big block to that, and minimizing the time it takes to recover from injury is a key part of any athlete’s health management. With new therapies, they can prevent injury and, in the worst case, create long-term fitness after injury.

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