Discharge and Return to Sport Part 2: Lower Body
Presented by Phil Plisky
12-Month Subscription
Unlimited access to:
- Thousands of CE Courses
- Patient Education
- Home Exercise Program
- And more
Nonfinancial: Phil Plisky has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
If every day you could prevent someone getting hurt, would you? Whether you are working with someone with an ACL reconstruction or a simple ankle sprain, high-quality discharge and return-to-sport testing can allow you to make confident decisions as well as reduce the risk of future injury. Unfortunately, our discharge and return-to-play decisions typically are not evidence based. In Part 1 of this course series, we laid the foundation to help you develop a scientific decision-making process, select evidence-based tests, and apply them to patient care. Now, taking that knowledge, we will apply it to lower-body injuries. This course is for physical therapists, athletic trainers, and occupational therapists.
Meet your instructor
Phil Plisky
Dr. Phil Plisky is a professor in the University of Evansville’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education programs. He is the host of the MedBridge Rehab and Performance Lab podcast and founder of the Coaches Club at
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Current Research
The cycle of injury and re-injury can be stopped by rigorous and scientific discharge and return-to-sport testing. This chapter discusses the research regarding lower-extremity return-to-sport test series.
2. Fundamental Testing
Discharge testing should begin with building blocks that comprise higher-level activities. This chapter examines the research regarding range of motion, strength, and fundamental movement testing.
3. Static and Dynamic Balance
Balance is essential for all activities of daily living as well as sport. If this foundation is not present, performance can be compromised and injury risk can increase. This chapter examines the range of balance testing from simple static balance to complex multiplanar movements.
4. Jump Movement Quality Testing
Once a foundation of strength, range of motion, movement, and balance has been established, the clinician must assess returning the person to higher-level activity. While exploring the risk factors for injury, this chapter examines the research on reliable jump movement quality tests. Additionally, the research regarding the psychological factors of return to sport are considered.
5. Lower-Body Power Testing
While it is clear that hop testing should be performed as part of return-to-sport testing, choosing appropriate hop tests can be challenging. This chapter focuses on selecting the best lower-body power tests and limb symmetry indices to use based on the latest research.
More courses in this series
Sports Performance and Injury Prevention
Phil Plisky
Discharge and Return to Sport Part 1: Know When They Are Ready
Phil Plisky
Discharge and Return to Sport Part 2: Lower Body
Phil Plisky
Discharge and Return to Sport Part 3: Upper Body
Phil Plisky
Discharge and Return to Sport: Case Studies
Phil Plisky