How long is a player likely to relapse after returning to competition? German researchers conducted a large-scale study (here) on the phenomenon over four Bundesliga seasons (2012-2018). By analyzing more than 1,600 relapses, the authors were able to understand that the risk of relapse is twice as high during the first 25 days after returning to competition. As for moderate and severe injuries, the risk, rather low at the start, peaks on the tenth day. A reminder for fitness trainers about the "double risk" when a player returns: thinking that the injury is in the past and trying to reach performance levels that are only possible by repeating sessions over a prolonged period or, on the contrary, fearing the players return to the playing squad and being too patient.
Brief
By analyzing more than 1,600 relapses in Bundesliga, the authors reveal that the risk of relapse is twice as high during the first 25 days after returning to competition / ©Icon Sport