FAQ's

 

1. Are the Mass General Orthopaedics Sports Performance Center’s services only for elite athletes?
2. Is this too expensive for me?
3. Can I use my insurance to pay for the Sports Performance Center’s services?
4. What is Sports Performance Enhancement?
5. I just had surgery. Can the Sports Performance Center still help me?
6. I am still recovering from my injury and in need of surgery. How can the Sports Performance Center help?
7. What is performance/fitness training?
8. Why do physical abilities and/or limitations affect performance? Why is fitness training so important?
9. What is the difference between a session with your sports coach (or golf pro) and performance trainer?
10. I've heard that too much strength or flexibility work can ruin my golf swing. Is this true?
11. What is a longitudinal evaluation?
12. What is ‘Motion Analysis’?
13. I want to get back to multiple sports, not just one.
14. How long does an evaluation take?
15. How do I see my results?
16. What are your hours?

Are the Mass General Orthopaedic Sports Performance Center’s services only for elite athletes?

While the center does have customized programs for professional and elite athletes, the center focus on all ages and abilities. The Center offers age specific programming perfect for beginner activities or high level weekend warriors.

As a part of the Mass General Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, the center strives to optimize surgical results in all our patients. Whether recovering from a rotator cuff repair, a knee or hip replacement, or just trying to prevent an injury, the Sports Performance Center can help.

Is this too expensive for me?

Services at the MGOSPC are priced competitively and range in price. Call us to discuss pricing or to develop a customized program for yourself.

Can I use my insurance to pay for the Sports Performance Center’s services?

Most services provided by the Sports Performance Center are not eligible for coverage by most medical insurance. When possible, however, the Sports Performance Center will work with you to utilize medical insurance coverage for all or part of our program.

What is Sports Performance Enhancement?

The Mass General Sports Performance Center specializes in enhancing sports performance by assessing weaknesses, maximizing energy production, and preventing future injury. Programs seek to improve and optimize flexibility, strength, posture, efficiency, power, and endurance and focus on injury avoidance. Clients of all ages gain a competitive edge through the Center’s merging of advanced technology and science-based evaluations. Workouts are always individualized and based on our experts’ assessments.

I just had surgery. Can the Sports Performance Center still help me?

Specialized programs within the Mass General Sports Performance Center are designed specifically for this scenario. Expert physical therapists begin with an assessment of your strengths and weakness and progress thus far in your recovery and if necessary, coordinate with your surgeon to gain the greatest understanding of your injury. A specialized return to sport program is then developed and enacted. In some programs, three dimensional motion analysis and high speed videography are used to identify risk factors for further injury and to determine what adaptations are necessary to return to sport at the highest levels.

I am still recovering from my injury and in need of surgery. How can the Sports Performance Center help?

The Sports Performance Center is an integral component of Massachusetts General Hospital's Sports Medicine Service. While most Sports Performance Center programs are designed to bridge the gap between physical therapy and returning to sport (after the initial recovery phase), the Mass General Sports Medicine service offers a team approach to injury including advanced diagnostic procedures and subspecialty surgical services if necessary.

What is performance/fitness training?

As opposed to training focused on technique alone, performance or fitness training is training designed to assess specific weaknesses and muscular imbalances and to develop a training program designed to address those deficiencies. By addressing flexibility, proprioception, balance, strength and power, the full power of the body can be applied back to sporting activities. This training is sport specific and individualized.

Why do physical abilities and/or limitations affect performance? Why is fitness training so important?

Performance in sporting activities is much more than swing mechanics or technique. Rather, performance requires the efficient transfer of energy throughout the motion. Achieving optimal performance requires a combination of flexibility, agility, strength, endurance, power and balance — all of which are enhanced by appropriate performance training.

What is the difference between a session with your sports coach (or golf pro) and performance trainer?

A sports coach or golf pro is an expert in teaching the specific swing mechanics or technique specific to your sport. While this is important to your success, ultimate performance depends on the combination of flexibility, agility, strength, power and balance to efficiently transfer energy into the activity.

I've heard that too much strength or flexibility work can ruin my golf swing. Is this true?

Performance training is much more than strength or flexibility training alone. The goal of performance training is sport specific training addressing your specific weaknesses and imbalances. This type of training is more likely to increase performance and enhance your ability to repeatedly swing with efficiency.

What is a longitudinal evaluation?

Longitudinal means ‘over time’. Sports Performance Center evaluations are designed to be repeated and compared over time. Single evaluations allow a snap-shot view of current biomechanics, neuromuscular control, and technique. Comparison over time allows the ability to detect small changes in technique, evaluate coaches’ interventions, and facilitate return to play decisions after injuries. Imagine being able to see and compare the exact biomechanics and technique of your activity as it varies with time and training - not just with numbers, but with the best in state-of-the art 3D imaging techniques.

What is ‘Motion Analysis’?

In addition to evaluations by trained physical therapists and specialists in each sport, state-of-the-art ‘motion analysis’ technology is utilized to measure the most minute details of your movement. This is the same technology as seen in modern movie making (i.e. Avatar, Lord of the Rings) where markers attached to you body are tracked by up to 20 cameras. 3D representations of activities are created by computers. These avatars then permit complex calculations of the velocities, forces, and torques at each body segment. A performance baseline is developed for each client. When possible, these baselines are compared to optimal standards.

Motion analysis at the Mass General Orthopaedics Sports Performance center utilizes up to 20 motion capture cameras operating up to 1000HZ. There are several force plates in our motion capture area which allows us to evaluate the ground reaction forces during sports activities. Our Sports Performance Center also offers wearable movement analysis systems for tracking activities beyond the confines of our indoor center.

I want to get back to multiple sports, not just one.

While the Mass General Sports Performance Center specializes in golf, running, and baseball, we have experts in multiple sports including tennis, crew, soccer, football, and many others. While sport specific training is available, training is also available for those who are looking to get back to athletic activities in general.

How long does an evaluation take?

Timing of evaluations depend upon the type of level of service. Typically, an evaluation lasts one hour with a physical therapist, one to two hours in the biomechanics lab, and additional time in learning your results.

How do I see my results?

At the end of every evaluation, reports are generated and then presented back to you as you sit down to discuss your evaluation. Often 3D computerized reconstructions or ultra-high speed video is used to demonstrate your actions. Depending on your evaluations, a customized fitness program is developed.

In addition to the expert care and training that you will receive, every subject seen at the Mass General Orthopaedics Sports Performance Center receives access to their very own “private portal.” This is a secure online web site where you can see all your individual assessments and instructions. It allows you to constantly review the recommendations and training from our staff, helping you maintain the exact procedures that will help you recover from your injury while achieving optimum performance.

What are your hours?

We are open Monday thru Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm. We offer Saturday AM visits by appointment, please call to request. We are closed on some observed holidays.