What is the Professional Athlete Model Return-To-Play?

The Professional Athlete Model of Return To Play can serve as a template for high school sports athletes. The model is built on a team oriented approach between doctor, therapist, RTP specialist, and athlete.This creates an environment that normally decreases RTP time and maximizes the players ability and skill.

Aruka Return to Play is the deliberate process of restoring physical skills post-injury or exhaustive training. Our program initiates after medical clearance and focuses on functional movement. Differentiating from rehabilitation, which prioritizes early repair and restoration under medical guidance, Return to Play shifts attention towards rebuilding skills and bio-motor abilities essential for sports participation. This phase emphasizes movement protocols guided by both RTP specialists and physical therapists post-medical clearance, aiming to re-establish proper function and performance.

Watch the video by Coach Kent Johnston who served as a topmost mind of Return-to-Play in the NFL for over 30 years.

Return to Play has been a service that professional athletes have used in many venues in the contingent USA and European Nations. Watch Coach Johnston describe what comprises this impressive offering and next steps.

Proprietary Aruka Performance Return to Play Process

ARUKA RTP Starts in the “Restore” Phase and progresses with the athlete throughout the continuum of recovery till full clearance has been obtained.

Aruka's comprehensive Return to Play (RTP) program, dedicated to empowering athletes through tailored injury recovery strategies and optimal performance restoration. Our specialized approach focuses on guiding athletes post-injury or exhaustive training, emphasizing functional movement and bio-motor ability rebuilding. With over 35 years of expertise, Aruka offers a unique blend of collaborative efforts with medical professionals, biomechanical proficiency, and personalized protocols designed to expedite recovery. We prioritize reducing return time, enhancing functionality, minimizing re-injury risks, and restoring athletes' confidence through a strategic progression of tailored sessions and collaborative facilities. Experience a transformative journey towards peak physical capabilities, surpassing pre-injury levels with Aruka's dedicated RTP program."

What Is Aruka Return To Play?

  • Return to Play is the process of restoring the various physical skills and abilities that have been lost or diminished due to injury or abusive training. We start our programming once the athlete is medically cleared to begin the process of functional movement. This normally occurs when an athlete is given clearance to move beyond the physical therapist or athletic trainer’s stationary treatment protocols which occur in a clinical setting.

What Is The Difference Between Rehabilitation And Return To Play?

  • Rehabilitation is performed by licensed medical doctors and therapists.  It encompasses stages of early repair and restoration of the body.  Minimizing swelling, protecting against infection, restoring full range of motion, proper joint action and the restoration of proprioception. These are always the paramount objectives of rehabilitation.  Progression is determined by landmarks provided by doctors, physical therapists, and athletic trainers. 

  • Return to Play or RTP starts with medical clearance from medical personnel.  The individual must be medically cleared to start the movement protocols provided by the RTP specialist.  This normally occurs when the individual can begin to move in an extended fashion.  It is during the Return to Play process that the focus, over time, begins to shift from the injury to the overall rebuilding of skills and bio motor abilities necessary to play and participate in each sport. The rebuilding of proper ground contact and force production are examples of this endeavor.  Progression is determined by the doctor (medical clearance) and then by the combined efforts of the RTP specialist and physical therapist/athletic trainer (performance clearance).

What Makes Aruka Return-To-Play Unique?

  • 35 years of RTP restoration protocols with athletes of all ages from the NFL to Junior High- Male and Female.

  • All our protocols are based on a collaborative and integrated effort between RTP personnel and the doctors, parents, and therapists involved with the athlete.

  • Our thorough knowledge of biomechanics and motor abilities as they apply to various movement and sport skills.

  • Our multi-layered approach. While we follow all medical guidelines prescribed by the physician, we recognize that there are no “cookie cutter” programs due to variables such as age, training experience, body type, and previous injuries. All of our programs are custom and unique to the individual.

  • Collaborative Facilities. Aruka offers RTP in just the right environment at the right time of the restoration sequence.

    • Hydrotherapy

    • Trampoline

    • Global Movement

    • Gymnastics Flooring

    • Strength Training

What Are the Values Of A Return To Play Program?

  • Decreases return time for participation in competitive events.

  • The athlete will experience better functionality upon return.

  • Decrease the risk of re-injury.

  • Assist the athlete in overcoming fear of re-injury and restore loss of confidence.

  • Following an ordered progression of restoration helps avoid establishing poor movement patterns due to compensation

  • Providing tools and facilities that the athlete might lack such as hydrotherapy.

What Are The Goals Of The Aruka RTP Program?

  • The end goal of our RTP program is the restoration of physical skills and abilities, equal to or greater than the use and demonstration of those skills prior to injury. We set short term milestones and goals based on the severity of the athlete’s injury.

What Is The Duration Of The Aruka RTP Program?

  • This is entirely based on the extent of the athlete’s injury and the uniqueness of that injury. It is also based on the progression rate of the athlete. Some acute injuries such as an ACL tear take months before the athlete is given medical clearance to progress into practices and competitive events. Other injuries that are moderate and less severe such as muscle strains or pulls may allow recovery in days or weeks.

  • Below is a list that categorizes the degree of the injury and reflects our normal recommendations for weekly RTP sessions.

  • Examples: ACL tear, 3rd degree muscle tears, spinal injury- low back, and dislocation of certain joints

    Sessions: 2-3 sessions per week

  • Examples: High ankle sprains, shoulder sprains, and turf toe

    Sessions: (Offseason) 2-3 sessions per week (In season) Up to 5 days per week

  • Examples: 1st degree muscle strain/pull, tennis elbow, low back strains, and lateral ankle sprains

    Sessions: (Offseason) 2-3 sessions per week (In season) Daily