MODEL OF CARE
The Athletes Edge Rehab & Performance Model
A Proven, Phased Approach to Return to Sport – and Beyond
At Athletes Edge Physiotherapy, we don’t just help you recover — we help you rebuild, return, and rise beyond your previous level of performance. Our comprehensive Rehab & Performance Continuum guides you through every critical step of recovery with a 6-phase, evidence-informed framework that reflects the gold standard in modern sports rehabilitation.
Whether you’re a post-operative athlete, managing a long-term injury, or chasing peak athletic output, our system is designed to allow you to enter at any stage of the Athletes Edge Continuum. This isn’t “just physio” — this is precision programming, expert-led recovery, and high-performance outcomes.
Athletes Edge Rehab & Performance Model
The continuum illustrates 6 evidence-based phases that we use to base your return journey from initial injury through to peak performance. If you are looking to upgrade your injury recovery, organise a time to have a chat and see if Athletes Edge Physiotherapy is the right place for you to thrive.
PREPARE – Prehab Phase
PREPARE – Prehab Phase
Build the foundation for success.
In the Prepare Phase, we prime your body and mind for surgery or the early rehab process. Prehabilitation is proven to enhance surgical outcomes, reduce post-op complications, and accelerate return to sport. Studies show that prehab improves strength, mental readiness, and function — with benefits that last up to 2 years post-surgery (Brinlee et al., 2022; Giesche et al., 2020; Filbay & Grindem, 2019).
We target joint range of motion, muscle activation, neuromuscular control, and aerobic fitness (when appropriate), while delivering clear education around injury expectations.
Smarter rehab starts with prehab — the cornerstone of performance and long-term resilience.
RESTORE – Early Recovery Phase
RESTORE – Early Recovery Phase
Protect, settle, and mobilise.
Post-op or in the early stages of injury? The Restore Phase focuses on pain reduction, inflammation management, safe mobility, and reintroducing gentle tissue loading. We integrate surgical protocols while keeping the rest of your body strong.
Early appropriate movement, muscle preservation, cardiovascular maintenance and enhancing whole body mechanics are key components of this phase.
Early rehab success sets the tone for long-term outcomes — and we guide every step.
BUILD – Mid Stage Rehab Phase
BUILD – Mid Stage Rehab Phase
Build strength. Build movement.
This is the engine room of rehabilitation. In the Build Phase, we train for muscle strength, hypertrophy, endurance, and motor control. Athletes start loading seriously — in the gym and eventually on the field.
We integrate movement pattern training, early plyometrics, and begin progressing toward running and sport re-entry. Testing is a major checkpoint here — return-to-run assessments, strength ratios, and more guide safe progression.
Clarity through data, progress through purpose.
PERFORM – Late Stage Rehab Phase
PERFORM – Late Stage Rehab Phase
Rebuild sport skills and close the performance gap.
In the Perform Phase, rehab meets performance. We target maximal strength, power, and reintroduce sport-specific movement, including unpredictable drills, speed, deceleration, and reactive control.
Split into gym and field-based rehab streams, this stage develops the high-level qualities you need to safely compete.
Refine movement control and replicate your sport’s demands, blending rehab science with performance training.
ELEVATE – Return to Sport Phase
ELEVATE – Return to Sport Phase
Step back into the game, one session at a time.
The Elevate Phase focuses on structured, graded return to team training. This includes non-contact drills, modified match play, and progressive workload exposure. It’s not just about getting cleared — it’s about conditioning smart and reducing reinjury risk.
Return-to-sport testing is essential. Evidence shows passing criteria-based tests significantly reduces the likelihood of injury recurrence. We don’t leave this to chance — we assess, adapt, and track every metric.
Return to sport isn’t a date — it’s a decision backed by data. Book your return to sport testing now!
THRIVE – Performance Phase
THRIVE – Performance Phase
Returning to sport isn’t the finish line — it’s the new starting point. Our final phase is all about long-term injury prevention and performance enhancement. This includes ongoing strength work, motor control, movement quality training, and regular monitoring. The Thrive Phase ensures you don’t just return — you exceed your pre-injury status and lower future risk.
Thrive beyond recovery — build lasting strength, resilience, and performance. See why a membership is the perfect way for you to go from injury to thriving!
Why Our Model Works
- Built from elite sport practices
- Highly evidence based – back up by 1000s of high quality studies & cutting edge science
- Clinicians with years of experience in sport & athletic pathways, including elite level systems and sporting organisations
- Staff with university-level teaching experience
- Thousands of coaching hours on the gym floor and field, perfecting movement
Ready to Start Your Journey?
