Imagine this scenario…you’re watching a sporting event, and an athlete gets injured.

Maybe it’s something minor like a sprained ankle, or maybe something more severe like a hamstring pull or ACL tear.

Have you ever wondered, what does the medical staff do right then?

And how does that initial 24-48 hours set up the entire return to play process going forward?

Well if you’re interested in how acute phase rehab blends into performance training, and then how we eventually work as a team to get that athlete back on the field, you’re going to love today’s episode with Adam Loiacono!

Adam has over 15 years of experience in rehabilitation and performance training for professional and youth athletes, including reaching the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns and the MLS Cup with the New England Revolution.

He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owns Loiacono Performance Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ, where he integrates sports science, physical therapy, and performance to optimize athletes’ training, recovery, and rehab.

And in today’s episode, we’re going to help YOU understand the acute phase of rehab, and how to help support our AT’s and PT’s to get our athletes back on the field as safely as possible.

I’d rather tell the strength and conditioning to pull back the reins, rather than having to encourage them to do more.

– Adam Loicacono

This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:

• About Adam and what’s new in his world.


• The FIRST THING he thinks about when he sees an athlete go down or get injured in a game.


• His steps or “phases” someone needs to work through when going from acute injury into return to play, and why strength is NOT the first box to tick.


• How swelling and inflammation dictate the process and timeline.


• The role of training muscles versus movements, especially early-on after an injury.


• Open vs. Closed Chain Activities: Are one better than the other?


• How an athlete’s mindset and psychology impact their rehab process.


• Why training the healthy limb can lead to faster progress down the line.


• The power of biological timelines in the rehab process.


• How the S&C coach can play a pivotal role in helping an athlete come back from an injury.


• Why building strong relationships with athletes during rehab can enhance their recovery experience.

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Connect with Adam:

• Adam on Instagram


• Adam’s Website

Related Links:

• Adam’s Previous Shows on the Physical Prep Podcast


• Dr. Ebonie Rio on Strength, Springs and Rebuilding the Athletic Knee


• Stacey Hardin on Purposeful Collaboration in Pro Sports


• Spark Book

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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.

Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!

The post Adam Loiacono on Acute Injuries, Respecting Biology, and the Bell Curve of Return to Play appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.