SPRINT ACL Rehabilitation Program
The SPRINT program aims to help you safely return to sport after ACL surgery. Our goal is to improve your muscle strength and movement quality, reducing the risk of re-injury, while getting you back on the field or court.
What to Expect During the Program
The SPRINT program is a 9-week course with one 75-minute session each week. Each session will begin with a brief discussion of the goals and expectations of the session and will include a fast-paced, challenging workout with minimal rest periods.
Each session includes four parts:
- Dynamic warm-up to ensure you are physically and mentally ready for the session
- Strengthening exercises to build muscle
- Neuromuscular training to enhance body control and prevent knee injuries
- Sports-specific exercises focusing on agility, jumping, and endurance skills
Most exercises are time-based, such as 30-second intervals. Throughout the session, our Physical Therapists will provide continuous feedback to help you address any weaknesses identified during your initial LEAP testing and assess your progress in real-time.
What to Expect After a SPRINT Session
Home Exercise Program: You will complete a home exercise program twice a week in addition to our group sessions. This program involves about 30 minutes of strength training designed to reinforce the work we do together. You will receive both a physical and electronic copy of your home exercise plan to ensure you can follow along easily.
Post-session Survey: You will receive a survey 24 hours after each session to share feedback and gauge your body’s response. This information will help us to better tailor exercise sessions, adjust the challenge level to enhance your strength and resilience for returning to your sport, and personalize the assessment at the end of the program.
Physical Response to Exercise: Muscle soreness after a session is expected and indicates that your body is adapting to the exercises. Mild joint soreness and around the kneecap or patellar tendon is also common, but we aim to keep this to a minimum. If you experience knee joint pain, instability, or swelling, please report it to program staff immediately, as these symptoms are not normal. Flare-ups can occur naturally during the healing process and do not always indicate tissue harm. But any pain or injuries should be reported as soon as possible. If you have concerns or questions, contact us at SPRINT@ virginia.edu.
Location
Department of Kinesiology
Student Health and Wellness Building, 3rd Floor
550 Brandon Avenue, Charlottesville
Contact Us
General Questions
Chris Kuenze
- Associate Professor
- 434-924-1451
- [email protected]
-
Student Health and Wellness Building 340F
550 Brandon Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Participant Information
Department of Kinesiology
Student Health and Wellness Building, 3rd Floor
550 Brandon Avenue, Charlottesville
Parking is in the lot under the Student Health and Wellness Building. Enter via Monroe Lane. Park in P1 spots ONLY. Please note: Do NOT park in P2 spaces or in the Monroe apartment garage. A program assistant will be in the parking garage 20 minutes prior to session start times to give access to the building.
Wear comfortable, athletic clothing that allows for full range of motion. Athletic shoes with good support for running and jumping are recommended. Please avoid baggy sweatpants or non-athletic clothing. It will be important to be able to visualize your knees during sessions so your session leader can provide feedback while you are exercising.
We also recommend bringing a water bottle and towel. If you’ve been advised to wear a supportive or compression knee brace, please bring it with you. IF there are other supportive measures you take prior to exercise (e.g. ankle taping or kinesiotape) please do so before each session.
Lockers are available for use during each session.
If you need to cancel a session, please email [email protected] as soon as possible. If you need to cancel in less than 24 hours prior to your session, please email AND call the program director at 434-924-1451.
The cost of the SPRINT program includes 8 weekly training sessions and an end of program testing session over a 9-week period. Due to our session schedule and staffing, makeup sessions are not currently offered.