Dimitris Diamantaras

Graduate of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a Master’s degree in Exercise and Health – Evaluation and Exercise Prescription from the University of Thessaly. Currently working as a Rehabilitation and Strength & Conditioning Coach at Atromitos FC (Athens), specializing in injury prevention and rehabilitation, biomechanical and kinematic evaluation and athletic performance assessment, improvement and enhancement. My approach is based on exercise science, following the latest evidence-based practices and protocols, using a variety of technologies and platforms, such as STATSports, WIMU, VALD Performance Dynamometers, Kinvent force plates, Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, etc., in order to monitor, assess and improve athletes' performance. Founder of Delta Fitness Spot – a rehabilitation and strength & conditioning gym tailored for both professional athletes and the general public. Our mission is to provide personalized, effective training programs to help individuals recover, strengthen, and improve their overall fitness.

Workshop (second day): Bridging the gap:  integrating gym-based strength into on-field hamstring rehabilitation

Hamstring injuries remain one of the most common and challenging issues in football, particularly due to their high recurrence rates and the difficulty of preparing athletes for the high demands of the game. A key limitation in current rehabilitation practice is the disconnect between gym-based strength development and on-field performance. This presentation aims to address that gap by outlining a structured, criteria-based rehabilitation pathway that integrates both environments from early-stage loading through to return to play.The presentation will guide the audience through a progressive continuum of hamstring rehabilitation, starting from the early stages, where the focus is on pain modulation, isometric strength, and controlled loading strategies. It will then progress into mid-stage rehabilitation, emphasizing eccentric strength development, increased range of motion, and the introduction of more dynamic, movement-based exercises within both gym and field settings.In the later stages, the focus shifts toward high-speed running exposure, sprint mechanics, and football-specific movement patterns. Particular attention is given to how gym-derived strength qualities are transferred to on-field performance, ensuring that athletes are not only strong but also capable of tolerating the specific demands of match play. The integration of sprint progressions, change of direction, and sport-specific drills is presented within a clear, structured framework.A central theme throughout the presentation is the alignment between gym and on-field work at each stage of rehabilitation. Rather than treating these as separate components, the model demonstrates how they can be seamlessly combined to optimize adaptation, reduce reinjury risk, and improve return-to-play outcomes.The final section of the presentation outlines a comprehensive set of return-to-play criteria for hamstring injuries. These include strength benchmarks, functional testing, running load exposure, and performance-based indicators, providing practitioners with a practical decision-making framework. Emphasis is placed on objective criteria alongside clinical reasoning to support safe and effective return to competition.To enhance practical application, each stage of the rehabilitation process is supported by video examples demonstrating key exercises, progressions, and on-field drills. This visual component allows practitioners to better understand the implementation of the proposed model within real-world settings.

Overall, this presentation offers a clinically informed yet performance-driven approach to hamstring rehabilitation, aimed at bridging the gap between gym-based strength development and on-field readiness in football.