Abstract

Perception of the usefulness /value of yoga as an adjunct intervention is a significant factor for the injured athlete's adherence to the customised sport injury rehabilitation program. The findings from 12 week rehabilitation progress assessment post Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction of an injured skier, highlight improvement in the injury rehabilitation goals which influence the performance goals of the injured athlete. A customised program was designed for the injured athlete with a 30 minute yoga protocol as an adjunct intervention, thrice a week along with 90 minute physical therapy session. IKDC score improved from 49.4 to 63.2. Range of Motion (ROM) of the injured right knee improved from −3 to normal, knee flexion increased by 20 deg, external rotation flexion enhanced (active 20 deg and passive 10 deg), passive hip flexion increased by 15 deg. Muscle test for hip extension increased from 4 to 5, flexion (from 3+ to 5), knee flexion (from 3 to 4), knee extension (3+ to 5). The perceived value of the injured athlete to practice yoga as part of rehabilitation is 5.8 whereas the perceived choice is 3.9 on a 7 point scale of Perception of Activity. While yoga and physical therapy improve flexibility, muscle strength, stability and balance of the injured athlete, perception about usefulness of the customised yoga and physical therapy influences adherence to rehabilitation and effective participation in the rehabilitation program. Biopsychosocial model (Brewer et al 2002) helps to understand rehabilitation of sport injury rehabilitation. Yoga and physiotherapy as a combined intervention, could enhance the biological and psychological factors that have a significant effect on the intermediate biopsychological outcomes. In this research, knowledge about usefulness of yoga in sport injury treatment could benefit the sport medicine and physiotherapy fraternity to include yoga as an adjunct intervention. Collaboration of physiotherapists, yoga professionals, doctors and coaches with an athlete-centric approach might help injured athletes to enhance adherence to sport injury rehabilitation programs. Further studies are warranted to measure long term effect of yoga on sport injury rehabilitation and prevention of non-contact injuries of athletes.