Return to Sport Assessments

What is it?

A Return to Sport Assessment is a structured, criteria‑based evaluation used to determine readiness to safely resume sport following injury. It assesses key factors including:

• Range of motion
• Strength
• Functional performance
• Movement quality
• Limb symmetry
• Confidence using the previously injured area

These assessments are typically completed toward the later stages of rehabilitation.

Why is it important?

A return to sport assessment is essential for ensuring you’re prepared for the physical demands of your sport. It helps:

• Optimise performance
• Reduce the risk of re‑injury
• Identify remaining weaknesses or asymmetries
• Ensure a safe, sustainable, and confident return to play

Whether you’re a recreational athlete or competing at a high-performance level, this assessment ensures your body is truly ready.

Injuries that may require a Return to Sport Assessment:

Return to sport testing is often recommended after:

• Orthopaedic surgeries
  • E.g. ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair
• Soft tissue injuries
  • E.g. Hamstring strain, quadriceps strain, calf strain
• Bone injuries
  • E.g. Fractures, stress fractures
• Upper limb injuries
  • E.g. Labral repairs, rotator cuff tears

What does the assessment involve?

Your assessment will be individualised to your sport and specific injury. It includes a series of physical tests using specialised equipment to provide accurate, objective data, compared against normative benchmarks.

Typical components include:

• Range of motion measurements
• Strength testing using VALD dynamometry
  • e.g., prone hamstring curl, seated leg extension
• Jump and power testing using VALD force plates
  • e.g., countermovement jump, single-leg hop, drop jump
• Validated questionnaires assessing confidence and readiness
• Specific injury‑related tests where required

How to book a Return to Sport Assessment:

Your physiotherapist may recommend a return to sport assessment when you reach the appropriate stage of your rehabilitation. Alternatively, if you have an existing injury and are unsure whether it’s safe to return to sport, you can book an assessment independently.