Optimizing Physical Recovery in Male Field Sport Athletes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Residual Deficits, Performance Targets, and Training Strategies

ABSTRACT Despite passing a battery of tests and being considered ready to return to sport, residual deficits in physical capacity of the lower limb are commonly present in multidirectional athletes following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. These can have a detrimental impact on individual and overall team athletic performance and may increase the risk of reinjury. Targeted strategies to assess and restore lower limb performance within rehabilitation are therefore crucial. The aim of this review was to (a) describe common residual deficits in physical capacities after ACL reconstruction, (b) highlight achievable performance metrics to target during rehabilitation to assist practitioners in collecting useful information, and (c) propose examples of evidence-based strategies to restore full recovery.