A common example is the recurrent ankle sprain. Frequently an athlete sustains a lateral ankle sprain of minor or moderate severity. Initial x-rays rule out fracture, time passes, and swelling, pain and dysfunction disappear. If, however, rehabilitation fails to address the range of motion, strength and proprioception demands that the athlete will face upon returning to sport, the healing ligamentous structures will be unable to assume preinjury demands. In order for injured tissue to heal to its maximum potential, demands on the tissue must be both specific and timely.
Specificity refers to specific sports function.
The rehabilitation program for an ankle sprain sustained by a basketball player must be specific to the demands of basketball. The injured basketball player will not be rehabilitated in the same fashion as a gymnast who sustains the same lateral ankle sprain. Taking this a step further, in team sports, the demands upon a player may differ from position to position. An offensive lineman in football would not therefore be rehabilitated in the same manner as the team's quarterback with a comparable injury.