Background and purpose: The Autoregulatory Progressive Resistance Exercise (APRE) model of periodization is an effective form of resistance training programming for short-term training cycles in healthy athletic populations that has yet to be effectively described in literature in application for rehabilitation purposes. The purposes of this case report are to: 1) review the periodization concepts outlined in the APRE model, 2) to detail the use of the APRE periodization programming through the rehabilitation of a high school football player using the back squat exercise after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and 3), to examine the applicability of this method in the transitional period from skilled rehabilitation to strength and conditioning for which a current disconnect exists.
Case description: Starting at 20 weeks post-operatively, a 17-year-old male high school football player recovering from ACLR was able to show a 10 lb daily average increase with the 10 RM protocol, a 6 lb daily average increase during the 6RM protocol, and a 6.3 lb average increase with the 3RM protocol.
Outcomes: A two-repetition maximum of 390 lbs was performed in the back squat at the conclusion of the program at 39 weeks post-operatively.
Discussion: The results of this case report strengthen the current limited knowledge regarding periodization during the later phases of rehabilitation and the transition back to sport participation time period, while at the same time providing new insights for future protocol considerations in rehabilitating athletes. The APRE method of periodization provides an individualized progressive resistive protocol that can be used to safely and effectively increase strength in both healthy populations and individuals recovering from injury during short-term training cycles.
Levels of evidence: Therapy, Level 4-Case report.
Keywords: Back squat; periodization; physical therapy.