In elite soccer, where players often go 22+ months without a true offseason, return-to-play (RTP) demands more than just checking boxes. It demands creative solutions, real-time data, and individualized progression. That's what Anders Braastad of Bodø/Glimt did while navigating the demands of the Champions League.
Anders shared in these case-study breakdowns of how he and his team integrates motorized resistance into their return-to-play (RTP) process. With limited space, long travel, and a tight match schedule, they needed a tool that could create the exact stimulus they needed and quantify it along the way.
🎥👉 Watch the full webinar HERE
Case 1: High-Grade Hamstring Injury
Background: Hamstring strain on the third game in seven days.
What they did:
-Heavy resisted running early in rehab, even before perfect strength symmetry was achieved
-Isokinetic strength sessions (e.g. 15kg, 0.2 m/s) to monitor peak and average force output, as well as symmetry
Reflections:
-Heavy resistance can lower hamstring load while still allowing sprint-specific movement, using load to control the athlete's velocity with lower velocity being safer
-Data allowed for in-session decisions and microcycle progression
Case 2: Adductor Reintegration
Background: Re-injury after returning to team training too early
What they did:
-Straight-line resisted runs showed no symptoms
-3kg change of direction, run-in and shuffle-out recreated symptoms
-Used that test as both a progression benchmark and rehab drill
Reflections:
-Deceleration capacity can lag behind acceleration recovery
-Deceleration data may reveal underlying dysfunction earlier than traditional strength tests
Case 3: Out-of-House Rehab, Limited Testing
Background: Athlete rehabbing externally during international break
What We Did:
-Used resisted sprints within team training to collect force/speed data
-Used both quantitative and qualitative (force-time curves) guide RTP decision
Reflections:
-Allowed athlete to stay with the team and still monitor objectively
-Player, coach, and staff all bought in due to transparency and data-driven clarity
Case 4: Rectus Femoris (Quad) Injury
Background: Athlete could sprint at top speed, but couldn’t accelerate without symptoms
What We Did:
-Used assisted sprinting with variable resistance (12kg → 2kg taper at 5 m/s)
-Created a “pain-free” acceleration environment
-Implemented isokinetic quad testing with a pseudo-kicking action for force/strength monitoring
Reflections:
-Assisted runs helped restore confidence and reduce quad loading during early acceleration
-Variable resistance was used creatively to match force demands of different movements to continue training at a high level
Conclusion
-Motorized resistance can be used to create the exact stimulus you need: strength and speed (including assistance and resistance)
-Data gives confidence to all stakeholders (athletes, physios, coaches) while still being able to train at a high level
-Innovative applications like variable loading and lateral movement testing help bridge the gap between return to sport and performance
🎥👉 Watch the full webinar HERE
