Level of knowledge and application of exercise periodization in rehabilitation by physical therapists and physical therapy students: an observational study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17267/2238-2704rpf.2026.e6589Keywords:
Exercise Periodization, Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Clinical Practice, TeachingAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Periodization is a planned variation of exercise variables to improve physical condition and is common in athlete training. Physical therapists can use it in rehabilitation for better results, but there is little information about the knowledge of physical therapists and students regarding this concept. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge and application of physical therapy students and professionals regarding exercise periodization in rehabilitation. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study carried out with physical therapy students and physical therapists, using a virtual questionnaire made available through social media. Physical therapy students aged ≥ 18 years and physical therapists trained at a higher education school in Brazil were included. Socio-demographic data (age and gender), academic information (whether they were professionals or students, level of training, area of expertise), and concepts and application of exercise periodization in rehabilitation were collected. Age was expressed as mean and standard deviation, and the qualitative variables were expressed as absolute frequency and percentage. RESULTS: 133 participants were included. The level of self-reported knowledge about exercise periodization in rehabilitation was low among students and moderate among professionals. Most professionals and students reported using exercise periodization concepts in rehabilitation, with 80% of professionals and 56.9% of students adopting this practice. However, 81.5% of professionals and 86.3% of students did not use the concepts of microcycle, mesocycle and macrocycle. CONCLUSION: The level of self-reported knowledge about exercise periodization in rehabilitation is low among students and moderate among professionals. Although many claim to prescribe periodized exercises, most are unaware of the application of basic concepts.
Downloads
References
1. Lorenz DS, Reiman MP, Walker JC. Periodization: current review and suggested implementation for athletic rehabilitation. Sports Health. 2010;2(6):509-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738110375910
2. Reiman MP, Lorenz DS. Integration of strength and conditioning principles into a rehabilitation program. Int J Sports Phys Ther [Internet]. 2011;6(3):241-53. Cited: PMID: 21904701
3. Lorenz D, Morrison S. Current concepts in periodization of strength and conditioning for the sports physical therapist. Int J Sports Phys Ther [Internet]. 2015;10(6):734-47. Cited: PMID: 26618056
4. Kakavas G, Malliaropoulos N, Bikos G, Pruna R, Valle X, Tsaklis P, et al. Periodization in anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation: a novel framework. Med Princ Pract. 2021;30(2):101-8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000511228
5. Issurin VB. New horizons for the methodology and physiology of training periodization. Sports Med. 2010;40(3):189-206. https://doi.org/10.2165/11319770-000000000-00000
6. Alfredson H, Pietilä T, Jonsson P, Lorentzon R. Heavy-load eccentric calf muscle training for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinosis. Am J Sports Med. 1998;26(3):360-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465980260030301
7. Kell RT, Asmundson GJG. A comparison of two forms of periodized exercise rehabilitation programs in the management of chronic nonspecific low-back pain. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(2):513-23. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181918a6e
8. Prestes J, Lima C, Frollini AB, Donatto FF, Conte M. Comparison of linear and reverse linear periodization effects on maximal strength and body composition. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(1):266-74. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181874bf3
9. Rhea MR, Ball SD, Phillips WT, Burkett LN. A comparison of linear and daily undulating periodized programs with equated volume and intensity for strength. J Strength Cond Res [Internet]. 2002;16(2):250-5. Cited: PMID: 11991778
10. Buford TW, Rossi SJ, Smith DB, Warren AJ. A comparison of periodization models during nine weeks with equated volume and intensity for strength. J Strength Cond Res [Internet]. 2007;21(4):1245-50. Cited: PMID: 18076234
11. Libardi CA, Bonganha V, Conceição MS, Souza GV, Bernardes CF, Secolin R, et al. The periodized resistance training promotes similar changes in lipid profile in middle-aged men and women. J Sports Med Phys Fitness [Internet]. 2012;52(3):286-92. Cited: PMID: 22648467
12. Lima C, Boullosa DA, Frollini AB, Donatto FF, Leite RD, Gonelli PRG, et al. Linear and daily undulating resistance training periodizations have differential beneficial effects in young sedentary women. Int J Sports Med. 2012;33(9):723-7. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1306324
13. Wong YM, Chan ST, Tang KW, Ng GYF. Two modes of weight training programs and patellar stabilization. J Athl Train. 2009;44(3):264-71. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-44.3.264
14. Oliveira ALO, Nunes ED. Physiotherapy: a historical analysis of the transformation from an occupation to a profession in Brazil. Braz J Phys Ther. 2015;19(4):286-93. https://doi.org/10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0103
15. Sahrmann S. The how and why of the movement system as the identity of physical therapy. Int J Sports Phys Ther [Internet]. 2017;12(6):862-9. Cited: PMID: 29158948
16. Lowe A, Littlewood C, McLean S, Kilner K. Physiotherapy and physical activity: a cross-sectional survey exploring physical activity promotion, knowledge of physical activity guidelines and the physical activity habits of UK physiotherapists. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2017;3(1):e000290. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000290
17. Freene N, Cools S, Bissett B. Are we missing opportunities? Physiotherapy and physical activity promotion: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2017;9:19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-017-0084-y
18. Yona T, Ben Ami N, Azmon M, Weisman A, Keshet N. Physiotherapists lack knowledge of the WHO physical activity guidelines: a local or a global problem? Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2019;43:70-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2019.07.007
19. O'Donoghue G, Cusack T, Doody C. Contemporary undergraduate physiotherapy education in terms of physical activity and exercise prescription: practice tutors’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. Physiotherapy. 2012;98(2):167-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2011.04.348
20. Barton CJ, King MG, Dascombe B, Taylor NF, Silva DO, Holden S, et al. Many physiotherapists lack preparedness to prescribe physical activity and exercise to people with musculoskeletal pain: a multinational survey. Phys Ther Sport. 2021;49:98-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.02.002
21. von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP, et al. The strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Lancet. 2007;370(9596):1453-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61602-X
22. Vinuto J. A amostragem em bola de neve na pesquisa qualitativa: um debate em aberto. Tematicas [Internet]. 2014;22(44):203-20. Available from: https://econtents.sbu.unicamp.br/inpec/index.php/tematicas/article/view/10977
23. Kataoka R, Vasenina E, Loenneke J, Buckner SL. Periodization: variation in the definition and discrepancies in study design. Sports Med. 2021;51(4):625-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01414-5
24. O'Donoghue G, Doody C, Cusack T. Physical activity and exercise promotion and prescription in undergraduate physiotherapy education: content analysis of Irish curricula. Physiotherapy. 2011;97(2):145-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2010.06.006
25. Dirks-Naylor AJ, Griffiths CL, Gibson JL, Luu JA. The prevalence of exercise prescription-related course offerings in United States pharmacy school curricula: exercise is medicine. Adv Physiol Educ. 2016;40(3):319-22. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00070.2016
26. Molloy C, Long L, Mordi IR, Bridges C, Sagar VA, Davies EJ, et al. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults with heart failure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024;3(3):CD003331. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003331.pub6
27. Alouini S, Memic S, Couillandre A. Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence with or without biofeedback or electrostimulation in women: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(5):2789. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052789
28. Sahrmann S. Doctors of the movement system: identity by choice or therapists providing treatment-identity by default. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2022;17(1):1-6. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.30175
29. Sahrmann SA. Diagnosis by the physical therapist-a prerequisite for treatment. Phys Ther. 1988;68(11):1703-6. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/68.11.1703
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Dalila de Araújo Moleiro, Bruno Teixeira Goes, Marcus Vinicius de Brito Santana
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
