Medical fitness training

It was recognized in the 1980s that the intensive fitness training carried out by professional athletes after sport injuries led to faster regeneration and thus to an earlier resumption of normal training. This training was soon made available to non-athletes as well since quicker reintegration of patients into the working world results in immense cost savings for employers.

The objective of medical fitness training are:

• total freedom from pain
  
• restoration of optimal muscular function (strength, endurance, coordination)
  
• restoration of optimal function of the joints and structures surrounding the joints (i.e. ligaments, tendons, cartilage)
  
• relearning of everyday and sport-specific movements
  
• prevention of new injuries.

Medical fitness training is divided into four phases:

• Phase 1: mobilization (> early functional therapy)
• Phase 2: stabilization ( > functional therapy)
• Phase 3: functional muscular training ( > unrestricted functional capacity)
• Phase 4: Muscle-loading training ( > unrestricted loading capacity)

Medical fitness training includes a variety of exercises (those shown in the photos are intended as examples). As a rule, they are continued until complete sport or work capability has been restored.