FATORES PSICOSSOCIAIS INFLUENCIAM O RETORNO AO ESPORTE APÓS RECONSTRUÇÃO DO LIGAMENTO CRUZADO ANTERIOR

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common intervention for sports injuries that significantly impacts athletes and their careers. Returning to sports after this surgery is challenging due to the influence of psychological and social factors. The objective of this study is to describe the psychosocial factors that interfere with the return to sports in athletes after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). A review of reviews was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Data sources included PubMed/MEDLINE and Virtual Health Library. Systematic reviews investigating specific psychosocial factors related to returning to sports after ACLR were included. Reviews addressing other knee procedures, studies with less than 9 months of follow-up, participants with a history of other ACLR surgeries, and reviews not exclusively focused on ACL injuries were excluded. Initially, 397 articles were identified. After applying eligibility criteria, 10 studies were included, involving 42,805 athletes from various sports. The main psychosocial factors influencing the return to sports after ACLR include fear of reinjury, lack of confidence, motivation, lifestyle changes, self-efficacy, depression, and psychological readiness. Most studies showed a moderate risk of bias. It is concluded that the psychosocial factors identified as influencing the return to sports after ACL reconstruction are highlighted by the importance of anxiety, confidence, resilience, motivation, and social and institutional support.