Contextual considerations using the 'control-chaos continuum' for return to sport in elite football - Part 1: Load planning

Abstract

The 'control-chaos continnum' is an adaptable framework developed to guide the on-pitch rehabilitation process in elite football. One of the key objectives of the continuum is to progressively return players to their preinjury chronic running load, while incorporating the qualitative aspects of movement and cognitive stresses integral to competitive match-play. Whilst injury and player-specific considerations are key to an individualised rehabilitation approach, a host of contextual factors also play an important role in return to sport (RTS) planning. In this article, we highlight some key intrinsic and extrinsic contextual factors for the practitioner to consider in the RTS planning process to help mitigate reinjury risk upon a return to team training. While a return to chronic running load is generally a critical component of the framework, we highlight circumstances in elite football where it is a less relevant factor in RTS decision-making.

Keywords: Contextual factors; Elite football; Return to sport; ‘Control-chaos continnum’.