ACL Return to Sport Testing

If you're recovering from an ACL injury, getting cleared to play shouldn't come down to a guess, a calendar date, or a quick visual check.

We use objective testing to look at how your knee actually handles force, movement, and stress. By combining VALD ForceDecks, MAT dynamometry, functional hop tests, and psychological readiness screening, we get a complete picture of your recovery so you can return to sport with total confidence.


Step 1: Isolated Strength (MAT Dynamometer)

After an ACL injury, your brain naturally dials back quadriceps activation to protect the joint. Left unchecked, this causes lingering strength deficits that are easy to hide during everyday movements.

Using fixed MAT dynamometry, we isolate and measure exact peak torque in your quads and hamstrings:

  • Quad Symmetry: We measure your Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) to ensure your injured quad strength catches up to your non-injured side.

  • Hamstring-to-Quad (H:Q) Ratio: Vital for hamstring graft recoveries to ensure your posterior chain can dynamically protect the graft.

Step 2: Jump & Landing Kinetics (VALD ForceDecks)

Isolated strength is a great start, but we also need to know how your legs handle explosive force and high-impact landings. Our VALD ForceDecks dual-force plates capture ground reaction forces 1,000 times per second to spot hidden compensations.

  • Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull (IMTP): Measures your peak force output and Rate of Force Development (RFD)—how quickly you generate force when pushing into the ground.

  • Countermovement Jump (CMJ): Shows how evenly you distribute load between your legs during takeoff and landing.

  • Drop Jumps: Tests your Reactive Strength Index (RSI) and eccentric force absorption under high landing impact.

Step 3: Horizontal Power & Deceleration (Hop Battery)

Force plates give us precise vertical data, but sports happen in all directions. Our single-leg hop test battery evaluates your horizontal power, single-leg control, and deceleration mechanics on the move.

  • Single Hop for Distance: Tests maximum horizontal output on one leg.

  • Medial Rotational Hop: Measures your ability to produce rotational power and control torque during single leg landings.

  • Side Hop: Tests lateral stability, and coordination as you hop back and forth across a gap.

We don't just measure distance—we look closely at landing mechanics to ensure your knee isn't collapsing inward (valgus) or stiffening up to protect itself.


Step 4: Psychological Readiness

You can pass every physical benchmark, but if you don't trust your knee, your risk of re-injury stays elevated. Hesitation on the field changes how you move and land.

We screen for mental confidence and movement fear using validated questionnaires:

  • ACL-RSI (ACL Return to Sport after Injury scale): Measures confidence, risk perception, and emotional readiness (target score: >75%).

  • TSK-11 (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia): Identifies fear of movement and self-protective guarding strategies.

Clearance Targets at a Glance

  • Isolated Strength: MAT Dynamometer (Quad/Hamstring Torque) - LSI > 90–95%

  • Kinetics & Power: VALD ForceDecks (IMTP, CMJ, Drop Jump) - LSI > 90% & symmetric RFD

  • Horizontal Performance: Single-Leg Hop Test Battery - LSI > 90–95% + clean landing quality

  • Psychological Readiness : ACL-RSI Questionnaire - Score > 75%

Ready to get tested?

Whether you're 6 months post-op or prepping for full clearance, objective testing takes the uncertainty out of your rehab.


Book an ACL Assessment