This Changes ACL Rehab: Neurocognitive Training Revealed!
To go along with today's episode I have a nice infographic to share...
Sign up to receive FREE: ACL Injury Evidence Based "Cheat Sheet"
Click HERE to Download FREE
Grab the rest of the Mini Course and Sign up for the Certification Pre-sale list:
- FPF Mini Course - 7 Reasons Why Injuries Happen in the Gym and What to do About it
- The Fitness Pain Free Certification
In today's video we go over a new video, This Changes ACL Rehab: Neurocognitive Training Revealed!
Confused about how to integrate Neurocognitive ACL Recovery into your rehabilitation program? This video breaks it down step-by-step so you can level up your clinical reasoning and training strategies. Learn how to bridge the gap between traditional rehab and real-world sport demands by re-training the brain as much as the body.
You’ll learn:
✅ What neurocognitive rehab really is (and why it matters for ACL)
✅ Key drills that improve balance, reaction time, and dual-task processing
✅ How to layer in challenge: from basic cone steps to sport-specific chaos
✅ Why "thinking" while moving is essential for return-to-play readiness
✅ Common mistakes that blunt strength gains during multitask drills
✅ When and how to scale the challenge based on movement quality
TIMELINE
- 0:00 - Intro
- 00:16 - Neuroplastic Changes after ACL injury0
- 0:41 - Rehabilitation Goals
- 01:03 - Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Definition
- 01:41 - Neurocognitive Demands
- 01:59 - Early & Intermediate Stage Rehab
- 02:25 - Important Considerations
- 02:51 - Neurocognitive Demands During Balance
- 04:28 - Eliminating Visual Input & Pertubations
- 05:41 - Visual & Auditory Cues
- 07:04 - Walking & Gait Drills
- 07:48 - Advanced Rehab: Ladder Drills
- 08:46 - Shuttle Drills
- 10:22 - Mirror Drills
- 10:56 - Lunge Drill
- 11:40 - 3 Cone Drill
- 12:08 - Sport Specificity
- 12:47 - Progressions
My brain is tired...
- Dan Pope DPT,OCS,CSCS
Show Notes / Relevant Articles:
- FPF Mini Course - 7 Reasons Why Injuries Happen in the Gym and What to do About it
- My FAVORITE Return to Run Progressions After Injury
- Want EFFECTIVE ACL-R Recovery? Learn to Strength Test
- Return To Sports BETTER With These Post-Surgery Jump Exercises!
- 12 Keys to Post-Operative ACL-Reconstruction Physical Therapy
Want to support me and decide topics for future episodes? Click HERE to sign up for FPF "Insiders" for just a dollar. You'll gain access to 100+ webinars, e-books and complete guides. Plus, you'll get private access to the "Insiders" Facebook group where you can have all of your questions answered by me.
Looking for other ways to support me that are 100% free?
- Like, comment and share on youtube, facebook and instagram
- Leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts
Thank you!
Dan Pope DPT, OCS, CSCS
References:
- Wilk KE, Ivey M, Thomas ZM, Lupowitz L. Neurocognitive and Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Techniques after ACL Injury, Part 1: Optimizing Recovery in the Acute Post-Operative Phase- A Clinical Commentary. IJSPT. 2024;19(11):1373-1385. doi:10.26603/001c.124945. PMID:39507089
- Thomas ZM, Lupowitz L, Ivey M, Wilk KE. Neurocognitive and Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Techniques after ACL injury - Part 2: Maximizing Performance in the Advanced Return to Sport Phase. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2024 Dec 1;19(12):1629-1641. doi: 10.26603/001c.126270. PMID: 39628780; PMCID: PMC11611477.