Sports Performance

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Whether you’re a college athlete, professional athlete or just a weekend warrior who has a drive to perform at the highest level, we see you. Sports performance is built on talent and grit; it’s formed by working on your craft, honing your skills to outplay the competition.

Just like any good athlete knows, you win as a team. And at Lattimore Physical Therapy, we’re on your team, in the trenches with you showing you how to move better, faster and stronger and how to reduce your risk of injury to keep you on the field and in the game longer.

In this page, we’re going to walk you through exactly what sports performance therapy is, what to expect during your sessions and the benefits of this type of training.

Contents

What Is Sports Performance Training?

Sports performance training is a series of specialized exercises and stretches (and in some cases training drills) designed to target specific muscle groups, analyze movements, and train your body to perform at the highest (and safest) level of performance.

Some of the modalities and training you may receive during sports performance therapy include:

Therapeutic exercise — Your physical therapist will likely recommend a series of exercises to target specific muscle groups to not only make you stronger, but also to protect at-risk joints like knees, ankles and wrists, so you can stay in the game longer. These exercises will pinpoint precise muscles that are often overlooked in normal training settings.
Active and passive stretching — Good athletes know that stretching is a critical part of keeping your body in tiptop shape to play. It’s also one of the best ways to help prevent future injuries. Sports performance therapy almost always includes active and passive stretching to target specific areas related to the joints and muscle groups used during play. Your stretches may be manual or assisted with traction machines.
Joint mobilization — Athletes suffer extreme wear and tear on their joints. For baseball players, it’s the elbow and shoulder. For football, it’s knees and ankles. Sports performance therapy often includes joint mobilization, which actively works the soft tissue within your joints to help prevent tearing and improve range of motion.

What to Expect During Your Sports Performance Session

You can expect to kick off your sports performance therapy with a series of questions to better understand your performance goals. Once you and your physical therapist agree on goals, you may be asked to complete a series of monitored movements, so your physical therapist can assess your coordination and mechanics. You may also be asked to complete a benchmark workout session so you will have some initial stats to measure your progress.

You should come to your sports performance therapy session dressed to work out. Please wear the appropriate clothing and shoes to train for your sport (no cleats, unless told otherwise). You should also bring water and be sure to eat more than 30 minutes before you come. We don’t recommend training on an empty stomach or an incredibly full stomach.

Benefits of Sports Performance Training

There are a number of benefits to sports performance training, but the most prominent benefits include:

Increased strength and endurance
Better muscle mechanics and techniques
Reduced risk of injury
Improved flexibility and range of motion
Overall greater performance, both mentally and physically

If you’re ready to take your sports performance to the next level, contact our team to schedule an appointment today or visit our locations page to find the clinic nearest you. Remember, athletes don’t win without their team; we’re ready to help you achieve your performance goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a health care profession that involves evaluating, diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The goal of physical therapy is to focus on movement in order to restore function, minimize pain and improve an individual’s quality of life. Physical therapists often utilize treatment modalities such as therapeutic exercise, soft tissue mobilization, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and other treatments to help achieve these goals.

Do I Need a Referral?

The state of New York has “direct access” to physical therapy, which means that patients are not legally required to have a physician’s referral to see a physical therapist. However, some insurances may require patients to have a referral or authorization before they will approve payment. Be sure to contact your insurance company beforehand and determine the process that they require.

It’s important to know that if you are under the care of a physician and require physical therapy treatment, you have the freedom to choose your own physical therapy clinic.

Do You Accept My Insurance?

We accept most major insurance coverages. Some of those we accept include Tricare, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and workers’ compensation. If you don’t see your insurance company listed above, reach out to us and we’ll let you know if we accept yours. At the time of scheduling your first appointment, we request that you provide us your insurance information so that we may verify your benefits and coverage.

How Can I Pay for Treatment?

We accept payment via cash, check, flex spending card, and debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover). Payment is expected at the time of treatment and typically required during check-in. If you have insurance coverage, there may be a deductible or copay required.

Before your first visit, we will contact your insurance company to verify your benefits for physical therapy. Some insurance providers have restrictions on specific treatments. As a courtesy, Lattimore Physical Therapy files with your primary insurance as well as any secondary coverage. You will be billed for any cost share (if applicable) after your insurance has paid their portion.

What Should I Expect During My First Visit?

During your initial visit, your physical therapist will provide you with a thorough 45-minute to one-hour evaluation in a private room. Please be prepared to discuss your needs, your pain, and any lack of mobility or function that you currently have. This evaluation will involve certain range-of-motion, postural and strength tests to help your physical therapist develop a plan unique to you and your condition.Treatment for your injury will begin on the day of your initial visit.

How Should I Dress?

You should wear loose-fitting clothing during each session with us. Loose-fitting clothing helps us access and move the areas of the body that are being treated. If you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice. For low back problems, a loose-fitting shirt and pants are the best go-tos.

Do I Need to Bring Any MRIs or X-rays That I Have?

Please bring any relevant MRI or X-ray interpretation reports from your physician’s office. However, since X-rays and MRIs aren’t always the most telling, your physical therapist will want to also take into account your medical history and other physical tests and measures. Their goal is to perform an evaluation as best they can using a thorough series of processes.

How Many Visits Will I Need?

The number of visits necessary to complete treatment varies from patient to patient. Some patients only undergo a couple of sessions, while others need several months of care. It most often depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairment(s), your past medical history and other similar factors. You will also be reevaluated on a monthly basis. Each time you visit your doctor, we will provide you with a progress report with our professional recommendations.

Can I Bring My Child With Me to My Appointments?

Yes! Our policy allows for children to accompany their parents during appointments.

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