Whether you are a coach or a parent of an athlete, you want to see your players perform the best they can. You want them healthy, agile and strong. Did you know that physical therapy can actually improve the performance of athletes? Before you start searching for physical therapist near me, learn about the ways therapy can help.
Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion
The most accomplished athletes focus on increasing their range of motion, protecting their joints and increasing their flexibility. Several practices in physical therapy can improve these areas. For example, your physical therapist may teach your athletes stretching exercises that lengthen the muscles to improve flexibility. They may also use soft tissue mobilization to loosen joints, which increases the range of motion.
When athletes have stronger, more flexible joints, they can enhance their performance.
Improved Form for Greater Efficiency
When you improve the flexibility and strength of athletes, they can maintain better form. This allows them to perform efficiently. As they learn to maintain their alignment, they can move more effectively and without fatigue. Their force increases as well. This helps them protect their bodies while performing at a much higher level.
Increased Strength and Endurance
When you visit physical therapy in Louisville KY, you can find therapists that specialize in sports therapies that increase your athletes’ strength and endurance. These therapists use exercise, including resistance training, to build muscle strength. Also, due to the types of exercises they use, your athletes can experience increased endurance, allowing them to play better for longer periods of time.
When their muscles are stronger, they shouldn’t experience injuries as a result of muscle fatigue. Therefore, these exercises help your athletes experience stronger, longer-lasting play.
Better Balance and Stability
In basketball, balance is important. Your athletes need to stop, turn and run on a dime, and if they are not properly balanced or do not understand how to use their body weight to stabilize themselves, their performance suffers and they can become injured. Physical therapy actually strengthens the muscles necessary to stabilize and balance the body as they move around the court.
Improved Speed and Agility
Speed and agility are key needs on the basketball court. Your athletes should go from a stopped position to a sprint in no time at all, and they need to turn, jump and stop quickly. When they complete polymetric and agility training exercises, they can improve these skills. Their reaction time accelerates as their overall speed expands. You will see their explosive movements progress as well.
Injury Prevention
Physical therapy strengthens the body, corrects muscular imbalances, helps your athletes improve their body movements and mechanics and expands their strength and flexibility. All these benefits contribute to overall injury prevention. This process also helps them address pain and reduce inflammation from their physical activities.
As their bodies strengthen and become honed, your athletes should also experience mental strength. They need this toughness to handle the physical challenges they put their bodies through and to effectively address any setbacks. This helps them improve their performance under pressure as well.
If your athlete would like to perform better on and off the basketball court, contact a physical therapist in Louisville to discuss the treatments available and their benefits.
