We see more and more clients asking how they can stay injury-free when participating in their sport, and whether they can perform exercises to maximise their performance in their sport. The answer is simple; The Performance Matrix (TPM).

TPM is a method for evaluating the ability of a person to perform the movement patterns they need to use when competing, so for a golfer that might be a drive swing, whilst a javelin athlete needs their throw.

The screening involves specific movement patterns, to identify tiny aspects of the body’s physical make-up that can hinder performance or lead to injury.

Identifying a person’s inability to perform certain important movements is crucial as it leads to injury-related, compensatory, abnormal movement patterns. This screening process helps identify muscle imbalances, reduced flexibility, core stability weakness, neuromuscular control and balance problems that have all been highlighted as having the potential to cause injury.

The performance matrix is a breakthrough movement and performance screening is a tool to assess the site, direction and threshold of slight, uncontrolled movement through a series of functional tests. It has been developed to enhance performance and decrease the risk of injury and re-injury in athletes of all ages, sports people and all active individuals.

It is used in top level sporting environments, including:

Premier League football

Professional rugby

NBA basketball

Elite military units

Olympic athletic squads

Benefits of a screening programme and correction programme include:

They are time-efficient

They are bespoke

You can rehabilitate imbalances and strengthen weakness with simple corrective exercises

Improve functional and athletic performances

Help reduce the potential for training and sports injuries

Create a base of core and dynamic stability to develop your strength and power training

What to expect from a Screening programme

A highly skilled Summit clinician will perform the screen (in most occasions we will film the screening process)

Each screening will take place on an individual basis (but team screening is available)

You will be required to wear shorts and vest top

The screening process is a series of highly standardised functional dynamic and non-dynamic tests (high threshold and low threshold)

All the data from the tests will be put into a specialist computer program, which will produce full comprehensive reports that identify any ‘weak links’

The report will also include a scoring system that allows comparison and/or re-evaluation

The report will be explained to you, so you understand your “weak” links

Once we have identified the weak links, an individually-tailored exercise programme that you must commit to perform on a regular basis will be developed

Explanation of how these corrective exercises can be integrated into your current training programme and adjustments made if needed

It is also important to understand that all individual results remain confidential and only under specific instruction from the subject is any information shared and discussed with coaches and trainers.

Each new client/condition will have an initial consultation where one of our skilled clinicians will take a detailed and confidential history and physical assessment. Then, using Summit’s education board, we will explain why the condition has occurred, allowing you to properly understand the cause of your pain/problem.

From here a relevant, evidence-based and up-to-date treatment plan can be put into action.

You will be given a home exercise programme (HEP) at the end of the session, in conjunction with your treatment. Not only will this maximise the benefits of the treatment and, it will allow you to self-manage your symptoms where possible.

Summit also promotes positive lifestyle behaviours by teaching individuals to self-manage their condition, which improves confidence, sense of wellbeing and quality of life.

With these new acquired skills, we can give you a long-term solution so you can prevent reoccurrence of your condition and return to activity with confidence.

Summit physiotherapy is committed to its clients and expects commitment from them in return. All of our clients must realise that their rehabilitation and recovery requires a team effort.

Above all, we are here to help you get better and give you the confidence to embrace the treatment. A happy client means a quicker recovery, and that’s what we provide here at Summit.