As the school year winds down and the temperatures rise, students everywhere shift their focus to summer break. For middle, high school, and college athletes, however, summer is more than just a time for relaxation—it’s a vital period to build strength, recover from previous injuries, and prepare for the fall sports season. Physical therapy can play a crucial role in ensuring that athletes of all ages enter their next season stronger, faster, and safer.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into why summer physical therapy is important, the benefits it offers to young athletes, and how it sets the foundation for a successful sports season.
Why Summer is the Perfect Time for Physical Therapy
- Recovery from Past Injuries Many athletes finish their seasons carrying minor (or major) injuries. Pushing through the pain during the season can lead to lingering issues that worsen over time. Summer offers a window of opportunity to address these injuries through targeted therapy, allowing full recovery without the pressure of upcoming games.
- Build Strength and Flexibility Physical therapy isn’t just for injuries. It can also be used proactively to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and correct imbalances. These improvements reduce the risk of future injuries and enhance athletic performance.
- Personalized Performance Plans Each athlete has unique strengths and weaknesses. Physical therapists can assess an athlete’s body mechanics, identify areas that need work, and create customized plans to enhance performance specific to their sport and position.
- Conditioning for the Demands of Fall Sports Fall sports like football, soccer, volleyball, and cross-country require high levels of endurance, strength, and agility. Starting conditioning work during the summer helps athletes gradually ramp up fitness levels and minimizes the risk of overtraining or burnout right before the season starts.
Benefits of Summer Physical Therapy for Athletes
- Injury Prevention Many common sports injuries — such as ACL tears, shoulder dislocations, and hamstring strains — are preventable. Physical therapists teach proper movement mechanics, strengthening key muscle groups, and flexibility routines to protect vulnerable joints.
- Correct Movement Patterns Young athletes often develop bad habits due to growth spurts, uneven muscle development, or previous injuries. Therapists can identify and correct poor running, jumping, or throwing mechanics before they lead to injuries.
- Speed and Agility Improvement Sports are becoming faster and more competitive. Physical therapists design agility and plyometric drills that improve reaction time, footwork, and quickness.
- Building a Foundation for Long-Term Health Starting physical therapy early teaches athletes how to care for their bodies, which benefits them far beyond their school years. Understanding warm-up techniques, strength programs, recovery practices, and injury prevention methods pays off for a lifetime.
How Physical Therapy Helps Different Age Groups
Middle School Athletes Middle schoolers are growing fast, and their bodies are changing rapidly. Growth spurts can cause coordination issues, muscle imbalances, and joint instability. Physical therapy helps middle school athletes:
- Develop proper posture and movement patterns
- Improve flexibility to adapt to their growing bodies
- Build strength safely
- Learn age-appropriate training techniques
High School Athletes High school sports become more competitive, and the physical demands increase. Many athletes start specializing in one sport, which can create overuse injuries. Therapy can assist by:
- Addressing sport-specific needs (pitching mechanics, sprinting form, etc.)
- Managing workloads and preventing overtraining
- Rehabilitating lingering injuries from previous seasons
- Building total-body strength and conditioning
College Athletes College athletes face an intense jump in competition and training volume. College sports often require year-round dedication. Summer therapy supports them by:
- Fine-tuning performance with sport-specific drills
- Managing chronic conditions
- Focusing on injury prevention to stay available for scouts and recruiters
- Helping maintain optimal strength and endurance levels
Components of a Successful Summer Physical Therapy Program
- Functional Assessments Each athlete should start with a thorough evaluation of their strength, flexibility, balance, and body mechanics. Identifying weaknesses and imbalances early ensures that therapy targets the right areas.
- Customized Training Plans Cookie-cutter programs don’t work. Therapists create individualized plans that address the specific needs of the athlete based on their sport, goals, and current condition.
- Strength and Power Development Summer programs focus heavily on building the foundation muscles that protect joints and generate power. Core strength, hip stability, and shoulder mobility are usually prioritized.
- Flexibility and Mobility Work Tight muscles increase the risk of strains and tears. Daily stretching routines and mobility drills help athletes move more freely and efficiently.
- Agility, Balance, and Coordination Drills Ladders, cones, and dynamic balance drills are used to sharpen quickness and body control. This work pays off in every sport, improving performance and reducing injury risks.
- Education on Recovery Techniques Athletes learn important recovery strategies, including:
- Proper hydration and nutrition
- Sleep hygiene
- Foam rolling and self-massage
- Active recovery days
- Mental Preparation Physical therapists also help athletes build mental toughness by reinforcing patience, focus, and resilience during the rehabilitation and conditioning process.
Success Stories: The Proof is in the Progress
Case 1: Sarah — Middle School Soccer Player Sarah suffered a minor ankle sprain during her spring season. Through a summer physical therapy program, she regained full strength, improved her balance, and entered the fall season playing better than ever. She also learned key ankle stability drills she now uses daily.
Case 2: Jason — High School Football Star Jason struggled with recurring hamstring strains. Therapy helped him address underlying flexibility issues and build stronger hips and core muscles. With a summer of focused work, he stayed healthy through an entire football season and posted personal bests in sprint speed.
Case 3: Emily — College Volleyball Player Emily, a college volleyball player, used summer therapy to rehab a nagging shoulder injury. Her therapists also developed a program to increase her vertical jump and agility. She returned to campus stronger, more confident, and secured a starting position.
Tips for Athletes and Parents
- Start Early: Don’t wait until July or August. Beginning therapy early in the summer gives athletes more time to see results.
- Stay Consistent: Progress comes with consistent work, both at therapy sessions and at home.
- Communicate Goals: Make sure the therapist knows the athlete’s fall season goals so they can design the program accordingly.
- Focus on Overall Health: Avoid the temptation to only work on “show muscles.” Comprehensive programs that strengthen stabilizers and improve flexibility are key.
- Take Rest Seriously: Rest days are part of the training process. Overtraining can derail progress just as much as doing nothing.
Invest in Summer, Win in Fall
Summer physical therapy is more than just injury recovery — it’s a proactive way to set the stage for a successful, injury-free sports season. Middle, high school, and college athletes who invest their time into physical therapy during the summer see major benefits when the fall rolls around. They move better, play smarter, and compete at higher levels.
If you’re a parent, coach, or athlete thinking ahead to the next season, consider making physical therapy part of your summer game plan. It’s one of the smartest moves an athlete can make.
Ready to Get Started? At Hohman Rehab and Sports Therapy, we offer specialized programs designed to help young athletes maximize their potential and stay injury-free. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and make this summer the launchpad for your best season yet!
Written By:
Dr. Katie Hohman
Physical Therapist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Founder
