RTP

Question 1

What percentage of GB track and field athletes were affected by illness or injury around the 2012 Olympics?

Answer 1

Four out of five athletes.

Question 2

What is the RTP decision in elite sports?

Answer 2

A case of risk management where athletes may train or compete despite illness or injury.

Question 3

What is the definition of return to play (RTP)?

Answer 3

The process of deciding when an injured or ill athlete can return to practice or competition.

Question 4

What is return to participation?

Answer 4

The stage where the athlete returns to general physical activities or training at a lower level than RTS goals.

Question 5

What is return to sport (RTS)?

Answer 5

The athlete has returned to their sport but is not yet performing at their desired performance level.

Question 6

What is return to performance?

Answer 6

The athlete has returned to their sport, performing at or above their pre-injury level, possibly achieving personal bests.

Question 7

What is the shared decision-making (SDM) model for RTP?

Answer 7

A model where decisions are shared among the athlete, coach, and healthcare professional, improving outcomes and satisfaction.

Question 8

What are the four steps of the decision-based RTP model?

Answer 8

1. Evaluation of health status, 2. Evaluation of participation risk, 3. Decision modification, 4. RTP decision.

Question 8

What are the three steps in the SDM model?

Answer 8

Choice (awareness of options), Option (detailed information on RTP pathways), Decision (consider preferences and decide).

Question 9

What are medical factors in RTP decisions?

Answer 9

Age, sex, symptoms, medical history, physical exam findings, lab tests, functional tests, and injury seriousness.

Question 10

What are sport risk modifiers in RTP decisions?

Answer 10

Sport type, position played, limb dominance, competitive level, and ability to protect.

Question 11

What are decision modifiers in RTP decisions?

Answer 11

Timing and season, athlete’s pressure, external pressures, masking the injury, conflict of interest, and fear of litigation.

Question 12

What physical focus is required during RTP?

Answer 12

Strength, proprioceptive (balance) gains, and sport-specific agility drills.

Question 13

What psychological focus is important during RTP?

Answer 13

Managing self-confidence issues and fears of reinjury (reinjury anxiety).

Question 14

How does fear of reinjury impact rehab outcomes?

Answer 14

It can delay RTS, diminish sports participation, and negatively affect post-injury performance.

Question 15

What should clinicians recognize about fear of reinjury?

Answer 15

Its influence on RTS and the need to address it to facilitate the athlete’s return.

Question 15

Why might fear of reinjury prevent RTS despite resolved physical symptoms?

Answer 15

Physical and psychological readiness to RTS do not always coincide.

Question 16

What are the implications of reinjury anxiety on athletes?

Answer 16

Attentional distractions, diminished performance, and delays in RTS.