Let’s be honest—being sidelined by an injury sucks. Whether you twisted your knee skiing at Breckenridge or pulled your hamstring during a morning run on the Cherry Creek Trail, it’s frustrating to watch progress stall. But the good news? Injury recovery doesn’t mean you’re stuck at square one forever.

At Moberly Physical Therapy, we see athletes and weekend warriors every day who are trying to bounce back stronger, not just to get back to “normal,” but to level up. With the right strategy, your recovery can be more than a comeback - it can be a performance boost.

Here’s how to improve your sports performance after an injury.

1. Don’t Skip the Basics (Seriously)

We get it—mobility drills and basic strength work might not feel exciting. But they matter a lot after an injury. Regaining foundational movement patterns helps your body relearn how to move efficiently and safely.

Whether you're coming back from an ACL tear or a shoulder sprain, going back to those early movement patterns (think: squats, lunges, shoulder rolls, glute activation) sets the stage for more explosive, sport-specific work later.

At our clinic, we start with movement assessments and rebuild your foundation the right way. No fluff, no shortcuts—just smart recovery.

2. Rebuild Strength—Symmetrically

After an injury, it’s common to overcompensate on one side. The problem? That imbalance can slow you down or lead to another injury.

We focus on restoring symmetrical strength and balance. That might mean more single-leg or single-arm work, especially if you’ve been limping or favoring one side. We’ll make sure you’re rebuilding strength evenly, so both sides of your body can support your sport—and each other.

And no, you don’t have to max out lifts to gain strength. It’s about intention, control, and proper load progression.

3. Dial In Your Mobility (But Don’t Overdo It)

Colorado athletes love a good stretch. And while mobility is important, more isn’t always better. The goal is to restore functional mobility that supports your sport, not just flexibility for flexibility’s sake.

Let’s say you’re a cyclist recovering from a back injury. You might need more hip mobility and less spinal rotation. A volleyball player might need more shoulder mobility but also tons of scapular stability.

We help you target the right areas and avoid wasting time on stretches that aren’t actually helping you perform better.

4. Train Smarter, Not Just Harder

Post-injury, it’s easy to fall into the “go hard or go home” trap. But your body needs time to adapt, not punishment.

Instead of jumping straight back into high-impact training, we guide you through sport-specific conditioning with intention. That might include:

Return-to-run protocols for trail runners
Jump and land mechanics for basketball players
Plyometric progressions for skiers and snowboarders

We build up intensity with purpose, so when you’re ready to go full throttle, your body’s already primed for it.

5. Prioritize Recovery Like It’s Part of Training

One of the biggest game-changers? Learning that recovery isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Sleep, hydration, mobility work, and proper nutrition all play a massive role in how well you bounce back (and how quickly you get stronger). We’ll talk with you about integrating these recovery tools into your weekly routine, not just when something starts hurting again.

Want bonus points? Cold plunges, compression therapy, and breath work can all make a difference when used wisely.

6. Work with a PT Who Understands Performance Goals

Your recovery shouldn’t be about avoiding pain—it should be about getting back to what you love with more confidence and capacity. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy here in Colorado, I understand that most of my clients aren’t looking to just “be okay.” You want to run that 10K. Climb that 14er. Get back in the game.

We take a performance-based approach to rehab, whether you’re training for a race, hitting the slopes, or just want to keep hiking with your dog on the weekends without worrying about your knee giving out.

Ready to Get Back Out There?

Injuries happen, but they don’t have to define your performance. At Moberly Physical Therapy, we help athletes recover smarter, move better, and come back stronger than before. You bring the goals—we’ll help you get there.

Let’s make your comeback your strongest season yet. Reach out today to schedule an evaluation and start your personalized recovery plan.

Ways to Better Your Sports Performance After an Injury