An Open Letter To Coaches Everywhere

Dear Coach,

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in Sports Performance, my ultimate goal is to keep your team strong, healthy, and injury-free. That's why I would like to strongly recommend implementing an Injury Prevention Exercise Program (IPEP) for your team. There are many versions to IPEP’s for varying sports, all with their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at the extended version of the Knee Control IPEP developed soccer players for example.

Soccer is a dynamic, high-impact sport, and injuries are all too common. But, the good news is research has shown that we can significantly reduce the risk of injuries by incorporating the Knee Control program into your training routine. A recent study showed a 29% lower injury incidence rate compared to control groups.

The Knee Control program focuses on strengthening the muscles around the knee joint, improving balance and coordination, and promoting proper body alignment. By following a similar program, your players can strengthen their bodies and reduce their risk of injuries, especially in the lower limb areas such as the hamstring, knee, and ankle.

Furthermore, the study found that the Knee Control program was more effective than self-selected IPEPs. So you’re better off taking control of players' injury prevention routines rather than leaving it up to them. It's clear that following the right evidence-based program will impact injury prevention for the team.

As a coach, I know that your top priority is to ensure that your team performs at its best, and that includes keeping them healthy and injury-free. By implementing an IPEP, you can improve your team's overall performance and keep players playing longer and stronger. If this works for soccer players, imagine the good it can do for basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports where there’s a ton of agility and cutting accompanying quick accelerations / decelerations? 

I hope you consider implementing an IPEP for your team, and I'm more than happy to work with you to ensure its successful implementation. 

Best regards,

- RockTheDoc, DPT