Interval Sport Programs: Guidelines for Baseball, Tennis, and Golf

Rehabilitation specialists commonly observe upper-extremity injuries in golfers, baseball players, and tennis players. Traditional nonoperative and postoperative rehabilitation programs for these athletes involve a gradual restoration of range of motion (ROM), strength, muscular endurance, dynamic stabilization, and neuromuscular control. Upon successful completion of the early phases of the rehabilitation program, a gradual and controlled return to sport activities has been advocated by several authors. The term “interval sport programs” has been used to refer to functional rehabilitation guidelines that simulate sport activities. These programs are designed to progressively apply forces to the healing structures and are intended to gradually return the athlete to full athletic competition as quickly and safely as possible. The purpose of this paper is to describe specific interval sport programs currently utilized at our center to return golfers, baseball players, and tennis players to competition following an injury or surgery. In using an interval sport program (ISP) in conjunction with a structured rehabilitation program, the athlete should be able to return to full competition status. The general guidelines and specific programs outlined are used to minimize the chance of reinjury and to facilitate the return of function and confidence in the athlete. The program and its progression should be modified to meet the specific needs of each individual athlete. A comprehensive program consisting of a proper maintenance rehabilitation program incorporating strengthening, flexibility, plyometric, dynamic stabilization, and neuromuscular controls drills, as well as appropriate warm-up procedures and biomechanics, is essential in returning athletes to competition as quickly and safely as possible. J Ortho Sports Ther. 2002; 32(6):293–298.