Master in Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Target audience

The postgraduate diploma is aimed at graduates in Physiotherapy and/or Sport and Exercise Sciences (CAFE).

Duration

60 ECTS

Format

Blended

Calendar

November 2025 – June 2026

Schedule

• 23–24 October
• 20–21 November
• 11–12 December
• 15–16 January
• 12–13 February
• 5–6 March
• 9–10 April
• 14–15 May

Accreditation

Master in Sports Injury Rehabilitation awarded by the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia

Language

Catalan and Spanish

Module 1. Foundations of Recovery and Rehabilitation Processes

1. Introduction. Principles of recovery, rehabilitation, Return to Practice (RTP) and Return to Play (RTP).
2. Stages of functional recovery: from injury to return to competition. The Hero’s Journey (The Hero with a Thousand Faces).
3. The rehabilitation specialist’s role within the interdisciplinary team. The Orchestra concept based on the Shared Decision-Making Model in Return to Play (SDM-RTP).
4. Biological and physiological foundations of tissue regeneration. Principles of body systems, from Aristotle to Lewis Thomas (The Lives of a Cell).
5. Adaptation, maladaptation and re-adaptation to sports gestures and load (Physical Stress Theory).
6. Presentation of the Final Postgraduate Project. Objectives and proposal.

Module 2. Introduction to Strength Training

1. Basic concepts of strength training. The simplification paradigm: The Elephant. Neuromuscular adaptations. Types of muscle contractions. Power. Structure of a training session.
2. Introduction to movement construction. Muscles vs. Movements. Adaptation, assimilation and movement.
3. Fundamentals of movement construction. Progressions and regressions. The Joint by Joint concept.
4. Strength training applied to the trunk and stability (core training). Introductory exercises and progressions. Proposed classification.
5. Functional training of the lower limb. Lower limb movement patterns: hip- and knee-dominant.
6. Functional training of the upper limb. Upper limb movement patterns: Pull and Push.

Module 3. Use of Assessment and Measurement Tools

1. Functional assessment and objectification of sports recovery. Why do we measure?
2. Measurement systems and their applicability in injury rehabilitation.
3. Field tests and sport- and pathology-specific assessments.
4. Analysis of sports gestures and detection of mechanical alterations.
5. Indicators of a safe return to sports activity.
6. Design and implementation of evidence-based assessment protocols. NEXT PLAY and how to measure in elite sport.
7. Assessment of the athlete’s psychological state and perception of recovery. Detection of risk factors in the final stages of rehabilitation.

Module 4. Sports Rehabilitation of Upper Limb Injuries

1. Management of shoulder injuries: pathophysiology, risk factors, rehabilitation strategies, assessment and progression criteria.
2. Muscular and tendon injuries of the rotator cuff. Comprehensive rehabilitation protocol for sports gestures. Load management.
3. Management of epicondylalgia through active work. Functional approach and progressive strength programmes.
4. Wrist and hand injuries and instabilities in sports.
5. Specific rehabilitation in throwing, contact and racquet sports.

Module 5. Sports Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Injuries

1. Management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries: pathophysiology, surgery, rehabilitation protocols and progression criteria.
2. Other traumatic knee injuries: meniscus, collateral ligaments, patellar dislocation and cartilage injuries.
3. Management of pubalgia: aetiology, classification and intervention until return to competition.
4. Muscle injuries (hamstrings, quadriceps, adductors and triceps surae): classification and management according to recovery and rehabilitation phases.
5. Lower limb tendinopathies: patellar tendon, Achilles tendon and gluteus medius. Intervention protocols and load management. Sports rehabilitation programmes.
6. Traumatic ankle injuries and instability: sprains, ATFL injuries, osteochondral injuries.
7. Planning load progression and return-to-play criteria in lower limb injuries.
8. Clinical case supervision from a psychological support perspective.
9. Common errors in the emotional management of injured athletes.

Module 6. Final Postgraduate Project

Enric Grau Calderón

Physiotherapist. Master’s in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy (UNIR). Lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences at UManresa - UCC and other postgraduate programmes with a professional focus. Specialist in sports knee injuries. Co-founder of NEXT. Author of the book “I Tore My Knee: Now What?” (2022). Speaker at the International Congress of Physiotherapy organised by the College of Physiotherapists and invited speaker at the Catalan-Balearic Society of Physiotherapy of the Academy of Medical and Health Sciences of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Jordi Lázaro Reina

Strength & Conditioning Coach and Rehabilitation Specialist. Degree in Sport and Exercise Sciences (INEFC-University of Barcelona). Master’s in High Performance in Team Sports. Lecturer at the Catalan School of Sport and several Sports Federations. Specialist in high performance. Co-founder of NEXT. Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Spanish Women’s National Field Hockey Team during the Olympic cycle from RIO 2016 to TOKYO 2020, and of the Spanish Men’s National Team from TOKYO 2020 to PARIS 2024.

Pau Martínez Martínez

Physiotherapist. Master’s in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Clinical experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation. Member of VALD Performance, delivering training on functional assessments and human performance technology. PhD candidate, researching anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and knee injuries. Lecturer in the Physiotherapy Degree at UManresa and member of the “Sport, Exercise and Human Movement (SEaHM) Research Group” at UVic-UCC.

Dr. Núria Carnicero Campmany

Physiotherapist. PhD in Medicine from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Member of the Spanish Association of Hand and Upper Limb Therapists. Member of the Hand and Upper Limb Working Group of the General Council of Physiotherapists of Spain. Speaker at the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand and Hand Therapy (IFSSH-IFSHT, USA), the European Federation of Societies for Surgery and Hand Therapy (FESSH-EFSHT), and the International Rock Climbing Research Association (IRCRA). Former President of the National Congress of Hand Therapy (AETEMA) in collaboration with SECMA. Part of the physiotherapy team for the Spanish National Climbing Team (FEDME).

Quim Moreno Pujol

Strength & Conditioning Coach and Sports Rehabilitation Specialist. Degree in Sport and Exercise Sciences with a specialisation in Performance and Health (INEFC Barcelona). Specific training in the use of various technologies for training and rehabilitation (VBT, Chronojump, force platforms, etc.). Head of the Training and Sports Rehabilitation Area at NEXT. Lecturer in postgraduate programmes focused on ACL injury management and return to sport.

Àlex Sala Carbonell

Physiotherapist, graduate of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Master’s in Team Sports Physiotherapy (Blanquerna URL - Barça Innovation Hub). Clinical practice at NEXT, specialising in recovery and sports rehabilitation processes. Associate Lecturer in the Physiotherapy Degree at the Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona. Trainer in the Cruzadoanterior project dedicated to educating physiotherapists and coaches on ACL injuries. Specialist in sports injuries.

Dr. Priscilla Jarrín Jacome

Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician. Medical degree from the Central University of Ecuador (2017) – United States Medical Licensing (2019). Master’s in Team Sports Medicine: University of Barcelona - FC Barcelona (2019-2020). Master’s in Physical Activity and Health, specialising in Exercise Prescription: University of Barcelona – INEFC (2020-2021). Certified in BLS with AED: IEM. Team Sports Physician Essential Concepts Online Certificate: Barça Innovation Hub (2019). FIFA Medical Certificate.

Hibai Txurruka Artamendi

Physiotherapist. Master’s in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy (UNIR). Lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences at UManresa - UCC, the Physiotherapy Degree at the Igualada Faculty, and other postgraduate programmes with a professional focus. Specialist in muscular and tendon sports injuries. Experienced in rehabilitation of elite athletes competing at international level.

Oriol Ventura

Physiotherapist and Strength & Conditioning Coach. Graduated from the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia and holds a Master’s degree in Physical Activity and Health with a specialization in rehabilitation and sports reconditioning. Member of the College of Strength and Conditioning Professionals. Physiotherapy graduate from the International University of Catalonia. Coach of high‑performance tennis players, a field in which he has supported hundreds of athletes in their development across all aspects of the game.

Dr. Adrián Castillo

PhD in Health Sciences (University of Alcalá). Bachelor’s degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (Polytechnic University of Madrid). Master’s degree in Integrative Physiology (University of Barcelona). Founder of METHUB.

Dr. Ana Merayo

Sports psychologist specialized in high performance, with more than 20 years of experience in elite clubs, national teams, and international institutions. PhD in Psychology with a specialization in sleep and health in professional athletes. Lecturer in universities, master’s programs, and high‑performance centers, with an integral, ethical, and human approach to sport. Combines psychological intervention, team training, and institutional strategy to enhance well‑being and sustainable performance. Former Head of Sport Psychology at the Catalan Sports Council and of the Psychology & Mentoring Area at FC Barcelona (2010–2023). Sports psychologist at Hospital Clínic – Sant Joan de Déu (Sports Medicine Unit), and for the Spanish National Swimming Team and the Spanish Women’s National Field Hockey Team. Psychologist at CNAB and CN Sant Andreu. Consultant for international projects (UEFA, NBA, Rafa Nadal Academy, Nicaragua).

Alba Hernández

Graduate in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences from the University of Girona, Postgraduate degree in Sports Injury Reconditioning (UManresa‑UCC), and Master’s degree in Neurorehabilitation from the GUTTMANN Institute. Expert in sports reconditioning of upper limb injuries.

Pau Maseras

Personal trainer with a degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences from INEFC Barcelona and a Master’s degree in High Performance in Team Sports. His professional career has led him to work with developmental and high‑performance athletics, including participation in training camps of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation.

Dr. Josep Lluís Cabré

Medical degree from the University of Barcelona (1998–2004). Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology. Resident physician (MIR) in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (2010). Final MIR evaluation in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, 6th edition (Madrid, September 2010). Inter‑university Master’s degree in Sports Traumatology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (2011–2013). Consultant Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at Mútua Terrassa University Hospital, Knee Unit.