Lesson 1Phase 3 (Weeks 10–12) focus and interventions: functional strengthening, power preparation, running prepExplains Phase 3 (weeks 10–12) focus on functional strengthening, power preparation, and running readiness. Describes exercise themes, loading strategies, and integration of task-specific drills to bridge to late-stage rehab.
Functional strength goals for Phase 3Power preparation and rate of force focusRunning preparation and readiness tasksIntegrating multi-planar movement patternsUse of external load and velocity emphasisLinking Phase 3 to return-to-sport phaseLesson 2Phase 1 dosing, frequency, and clinic visit schedule recommendationsOutlines recommended dosing, weekly frequency, and clinic visit schedule for Phase 1 (weeks 6–8). Focuses on balancing tissue protection with early loading, home program design, and criteria for modifying frequency based on patient response.
Setting weekly clinic visit targets in Phase 1Structuring daily home exercise frequencyVolume guidelines for early strengtheningMonitoring response to adjust total workloadCoordinating clinic and home program balanceDocumentation of adherence and toleranceLesson 3Phase 1 (Weeks 6–8) focus and interventions: swelling control, ROM restoration, early strengtheningCovers Phase 1 (weeks 6–8) priorities: swelling control, ROM restoration, and early strengthening. Explains clinical reasoning for exercise selection, protection strategies, and progression toward normalized movement patterns.
Primary clinical goals for Phase 1Strategies for effective swelling controlROM restoration priorities and limitsEarly strengthening within protection rulesMovement pattern retraining foundationsPatient education on activity modificationLesson 4Phase 3 specific exercises and techniques: plyometrics progression, graded jogging program, agility drills, sport-specific tasksProvides specific Phase 3 exercises and techniques, including plyometric progressions, graded jogging, agility drills, and early sport tasks. Emphasizes sequencing, surface selection, and monitoring tolerance to higher impact loads.
Foundational low-level plyometric drillsProgressing to multidirectional plyometricsDesigning a graded jogging progressionIntroductory agility and change-of-directionEarly non-contact sport-specific tasksSafety checks during high-impact sessionsLesson 5Phase 1 specific exercises and techniques: patellar mobilizations, closed-chain quad exercises, heel slides, isometric quads, balance retrainingDescribes Phase 1 techniques such as patellar mobilizations, closed-chain quadriceps work, heel slides, isometric quads, and early balance retraining. Focuses on safe application, dosage, and integration into a coherent session.
Patellar mobilization grades and directionsClosed-chain quadriceps activation drillsHeel slides for flexion ROM restorationIsometric quadriceps dosing and positionsEarly balance retraining progressionsCombining techniques within a sessionLesson 6Phase 2 (Weeks 8–10) focus and interventions: progressive strengthening, neuromuscular control, gait normalizationDetails Phase 2 goals and key interventions from weeks 8–10, emphasizing progressive strengthening, neuromuscular control, and gait normalization. Covers exercise selection, cueing, and integration of functional tasks to prepare for higher loads.
Primary functional goals for Phase 2Progressive strengthening priorities by regionNeuromuscular control and motor learning focusStrategies to normalize gait mechanicsIntegrating functional closed-chain activitiesCriteria to progress complexity safelyLesson 7Clear signs to slow or regress program: increased effusion, rising pain scores, loss of ROM, instability reportsDefines clinical warning signs that require slowing or regressing the program. Emphasizes monitoring effusion, pain, ROM, and instability, and explains how to adjust load, exercise selection, and visit frequency to protect healing tissues.
Recognizing pathologic joint effusion changesInterpreting rising pain scores in contextIdentifying new or worsening ROM lossAssessing subjective and objective instabilityDecision rules for regression versus holdingCommunicating setbacks with patient and teamLesson 8Phase 2 dosing, frequency, and clinic visit schedule recommendationsDefines recommended dosing, weekly frequency, and clinic visit schedule for Phase 2. Addresses progression from Phase 1, adjusting contact time, and structuring home programs to support strengthening and neuromuscular goals.
Determining clinic visit frequency in Phase 2Adjusting exercise sets, reps, and intensityBalancing supervised and independent workScheduling neuromuscular training sessionsUsing symptom response to guide dosingPlanning follow-up and re-evaluation pointsLesson 9Phase 2 specific exercises and techniques: eccentric quadriceps loading, resisted hip strengthening, single-leg balance with perturbations, step-upsDetails Phase 2 exercise techniques, including eccentric quadriceps loading, resisted hip strengthening, single-leg balance with perturbations, and step-ups. Emphasizes cueing, progression, and common compensations.
Eccentric quadriceps loading progressionsResisted hip strengthening in multiple planesSingle-leg balance with manual perturbationsStep-up and step-down technique coachingUse of external resistance and tempo controlIdentifying and correcting compensationsLesson 10Progression principles between phases: load, complexity, volume increases and objective criteria for advancementDescribes progression principles between phases, including systematic increases in load, complexity, and volume. Presents objective criteria for advancement and how to integrate testing, symptom behavior, and functional milestones.
Load progression: intensity and volume rulesComplexity progression: planes and tasksUsing objective strength and ROM thresholdsFunctional tests to support advancementManaging plateaus and minor flare-upsDocumenting progression decisions clearlyLesson 11Phase 3 dosing, frequency, and clinic visit schedule recommendationsOutlines Phase 3 dosing, weekly frequency, and clinic visit schedule. Focuses on managing higher intensity and impact, spacing sessions for recovery, and coordinating field or gym-based sessions with clinic work.
Setting clinic and field session frequencyDosing plyometrics and running volumeRecovery spacing between high-load daysCoordinating strength and agility sessionsAdjusting plan after adverse responsesPreparing schedule for late-stage testing
