Pre-participation Screening | Rob Leather Physiotherapy, Leicester

Therapist measuring the bend of a client's knee with a goniometer

Why screen?

Train for performance, not for your next injury

Pre-participation screening makes sure an athlete or competitor is doing the right training to improve their performance in their sport, while reducing the risk of injury that comes with physical activity.

A screening is usually carried out before the start of a training phase and/or before a competitive phase, to highlight any areas of injury risk. Afterwards, we create an injury risk profile for you, with an injury prevention programme to match.

Screenings we offer

Musculoskeletal screening
Biomechanical screening
Gait analysis
Physical competency screening
Throwing and cricket fast bowling analysis

Types of screening

Screening tailored to your sport and your level

Each screening is chosen to match the demands of your sport, and the results come back to you as a clear injury risk profile with exercises to act on.

Musculoskeletal screening

An assessment of joint mobility and muscle strength, to check there are no movement restrictions or muscle weaknesses that could lead to acute or chronic sports injuries or physical complaints.

It is made up of joint mobility and muscle flexibility tests, followed by muscle strength and endurance testing. These show your therapist any abnormal patterns of joint movement or weakness in specific muscle groups. You receive the results as an injury risk profile, with the injury prevention exercise programme we advise.

Our musculoskeletal screenings are tailored to the sport and the level of the performer.

Biomechanical screening

Biomechanics is the study of how the body moves. A biomechanical screening looks at the patterns of movement your body produces for a particular task, for example a golf swing or your running gait.

Using modern technology in the clinic and the gym, we can provide highly detailed biomechanical screenings that identify any areas of need in the quality of movement your sport requires.

Physical competency screening

Designed for the developing and adolescent athlete, this screening assesses the key fundamentals of athletic movement.

Certain fundamental movement patterns and physical attributes improve performance as an athlete develops. The screening identifies each athlete's areas of need, so a specific training programme can be built to reduce long-term injury risk.

Runner on a sunny road stopping to hold the back of his lower leg

Gait analysis

Gait analysis looks at how your pelvis and lower limbs move as you walk or run. It identifies abnormal movement patterns in the feet, knees, hips and lower back, and any specific injury risks within your gait.

Video analysis in super slow motion to pick out muscle weaknesses or restrictions
Altered movement patterns caused by specific muscle weakness or imbalance
The effect of your footwear
A management plan to improve the performance and efficiency of your gait, prevent injury or help you recover from a current complaint

If you would benefit from further help such as orthotics or insoles, we may refer you on to a specialist such as a podiatrist.

About podiatry

Physio attending to a batsman on the field during a professional cricket match

Throwing and cricket fast bowling analysis

Analysis built on over 10 years in professional cricket

Thanks to the experience we gained working in professional cricket for over 10 years, we can analyse the techniques involved in throwing and cricket bowling.

The analysis identifies specific movement patterns and areas to develop for technical excellence, looking at joint mobility, muscle strength and control. It does not aim to change technical faults that need specific coaching from a sports coach.

Fast bowling

Fast bowling is like no other skilled movement in world sport. It is highly repetitive and puts a great deal of stress on the lower back, ankles and knees. Young, developing fast bowlers have an increased risk of stress fractures of the lumbar spine, because of their age, the amount of bowling they do, poor technique, insufficient muscle strength, or a combination of all of these.

Our therapists have vast experience of analysing fast-bowling actions. The screening identifies developing risk factors by looking at workload (overs bowled), strength levels and action type, using video analysis. We then set up workload and injury prevention plans so every risk factor is addressed.

Throwing and racket sports

Throwing and racket sports carry a high risk of injury to the upper limb and shoulder. Screening your upper limb movement, strength and control, and analysing your technique, shows us any areas of concern to address.

Shoulder pain is often linked to reduced muscle strength and control and poor shoulder position (posture), which are easy to spot with screening and analysis of the skill, such as a tennis serve or a throw. We use video analysis and a throwing screen adapted from professional baseball in the USA to decide how best to develop your technique, and to treat or prevent the painful conditions you may be prone to.

Man running on a treadmill in a bright gym

Training plans

From rehabilitation back to training

As you recover from injury and look towards a successful return to sport or activity, our training plans help you make the transition from rehabilitation to training, with the emphasis on preventing injury and developing performance.

We have extensive experience of setting up plans for short and long-term goals, for clients of all ages. Each plan is specific to you and your physical needs, and we use the key principles of training to adapt it to your sport.

Our most common programmes

Marathon training
Speed and running technique
Long-term athlete development for the adolescent athlete
Injury prevention
Strength and power training
Personal training plans for the recreational athlete

Woman doing a split squat with her back foot on a balance trainer in a gym

In the gym

Rehabilitation gym sessions

Rehabilitation plans range from a home exercise programme to an extensive gym programme. Our rehabilitation gym sessions last 60 minutes and take place in our fully equipped rehabilitation gym, ideal when your plan moves into the gym.

About rehabilitation

Prices

Screening and training prices

Screening and gait analysis both come with a report, so you know where your risks are and what to do about them.

See all prices

Specialist services

Pre-participation sports screening Includes an injury prevention report 90 min £120
Biomechanical assessment and gait analysis Includes a report and training programme 60 min £90
Rehabilitation gym session 60 min £76

Payment is taken after every session by cash or any major card (debit card preferred).

Book your screening

Book online, or get in touch to talk through which screening or training plan is right for you.

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Pre-participation screening and training plans