A Return to Performance Continuum for Football (Soccer) Players After ACL Reconstruction: Bridging Rehabilitation, Return to Play and Sustained Performance

Buckthorpe, Matthew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4925-4031, Read, Paul J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1508-8602, Hamrin Senorski, Eric ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9340-0147, Compagnin, Alessandro ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2345-4945, Di Paolo, Stefano ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1761-7352 and Della Villa, Francesco ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9379-6666 (2026) A Return to Performance Continuum for Football (Soccer) Players After ACL Reconstruction: Bridging Rehabilitation, Return to Play and Sustained Performance. Sports Medicine. doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02543-z (In Press)

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Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in football (soccer) players is associated with high return-to-competition rates but persistent deficits in performance and elevated risk of secondary injury. Whilst rehabilitation frameworks have evolved to optimise early, mid-, and late-stage recovery, limited guidance exists regarding the structured transition from typical return-to-sport clearance to sustained return-to-performance (RTP erf ). Failure to adequately bridge this gap may contribute to early re-injury, suppressed match performance and compromised career longevity. This paper outlines a staged RTP erf continuum comprising: (1) structured on-field rehabilitation, (2) return to team training, (3) return to competitive match play and (4) early and sustained RTP erf. Four interdependent pillars underpin this process: (i) the restoration of movement quality under realistic football specific situations; (ii) progressive football-specific technical and tactical re-training; (iii) football-specific physical reconditioning including speed, acceleration, deceleration and change of direction ability, endurance and chronic workload development and (iv) maximal strength and explosive neuromuscular performance restoration.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports Q Science > QP Physiology Q Science > QP Physiology > QP301.H75 Physiology. Sport
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Depositing User:	Charlotte Crutchlow
Date Deposited:	05 Oct 2026 10:32
Last Modified:	05 Oct 2026 10:45
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/16564

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