On-Field Tests for Patients After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), a patient’s physical capacities, such as (repeated) sprint performance, agility performance, and intermittent endurance performance, are often reduced because of detraining effects. Monitoring the progression of these physical capacities is essential for specific training goals before patients return to complex team sports. Purpose: To map the existing literature regarding on-field tests for (repeated) sprint performance, agility performance, and intermittent endurance performance in patients after ACLR. Study Design: Scoping review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A search was performed in 4 electronic databases, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for scoping reviews. Results: There were 11 studies that met the inclusion criteria and described a total of 14 on-field tests for patients after ACLR. Overall, 2 tests were described for sprint performance, 11 tests were related to agility performance, and 1 test was performed for intermittent endurance performance. Conclusion: The results of this scoping review provide an overview of on-field tests to monitor sport-specific progression and to set performance-specific training goals for patients after ACLR before returning to complex team sports.