Athletes In Motion Archives - Omaha Physical Therapy Institute : Omaha Physical Therapy Institute

Were You Born to Run?

12/21/20

The notion that human beings were “born to run” certainly has inspired me to think deeply about running. The book that bears this notion as its title, Born To Run, written by Christopher McDougall, is a must-read for those who enjoy recreational running. But this blog isn’t about the book or the theory. The point here is to discuss how…

Returning to Play after COVID-19

12/21/20

Because of the uncertainty of the affects of COVID-19 even after the illness has subsided, a return to play protocol has been devised by experts in order to guide athletes with gradual exposure back into activity after illness. Athletes who have experienced COVID-19 should consult with their physician regarding return to activity/play suggestions. This infographic is from the British Journal…

Determination and Patience – Siera’s Comeback Story

12/04/20

Exercise and nutrition are important to living a healthy, happy life, especially for Omaha Physical Therapy Institute’s rock star patient, Siera Zach! Siera is a personal trainer, competitive weightlifter, and coach who has overcome an injury that kept her from doing what she loved. Through her determination and patience, she is back and better than ever! Check out Siera’s Comeback…

Importance of Sleep on Athletic Performance and Injury Risk

09/09/20

Adequate sleep is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. Sleep is considered to be critical to human physiological and cognitive function. Often times people place sleep on the back burner in order to keep up with the demands of our fast-paced society. According to the American Sleep Association (ASA), sleep is essential to the health of the brain,…

Train Like You Play

09/06/20

There are many variables that exist in the world of strength and conditioning, most of which athletes and avid exercisers are familiar with adjusting in order to get the desired effect from their exercise. For example, someone looking to build muscle size may primarily perform their resistance exercises in a certain repetition range and at a certain percentage of their…

Coming Back to Softball after Tommy John Surgery

06/28/20

Lauren Roecker was inspirational during her physical therapy after her Tommy John surgery. She took advantage of the specialized care Omaha Physical Therapy Institute (OPTI) provides for throwing athletes as well as utilized OPTI’s Athletes In Motion clinic at the Omaha Sports Complex to perform her return to play rehabilitation on the field turf! She has battled back to the…

Does Running Technique Matter?

06/21/20

Many people recognize the importance of technique when they become familiar with a sport. For instance, a basketball player is quite familiar with proper shooting form, a golfer the perfect swing, and a soccer player needs to focus on how they strike the ball. In many sports, technique is far more than just improving a skill, but can actually be…

Does Strength and Power Equal Confidence in ACL Rehab?

06/14/20

Is there a correlation between the amount of strength and power an individual has with their confidence in returning to play their sport after ACL reconstruction surgery? A recent article investigated this question. See the results below! No Relationship Between Strength and Power Scores and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury Scale 9 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament…

Run Faster and More Efficiently!

06/07/20

In distance running going faster is often thought to require greater propulsion, and ultimately, greater effort. When you are nearing the end of a training run and trying to maintain a certain heart rate, or perhaps approaching the final mile of a marathon and running on “E”, the last thing you want to think about is exerting more effort and…

Sport Specialization Among Young Athletes

05/17/20

Sport participation can offer several benefits to children and adolescents when dosed appropriately. But, over the past several years, youth athletics has changed considerably. It has changed from child-driven, fun recreational play for enjoyment to adult-driven, highly structured practice dedicated to sport-specific skill development. Young athletes have been challenged with growing competiveness in youth sports, pressures from adult coaches/parents, and…