Evaluating Readiness to Return to Sport after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Soccer Players: A Scoping Review of the Validity, Reliability, and Predictive Value of Hop Test Batteries and Psychological Assessments

Abstract

Soccer players recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) must achieve both physical and psychological readiness to safely return to sport (RTS) and reduce the risk of re-injury. However, uncertainty remains regarding the validity, reliability, and predictive value of commonly used hop test batteries, particularly when combined with psychological assessments. This scoping review aimed to examine the evidence on the use of functional hop tests and psychological measures in evaluating RTS preparedness among soccer players following ACLR. A comprehensive search of databases including Medline, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus identified studies meeting the eligibility criteria. Nineteen studies were included, several of which specifically focused on soccer players. Commonly assessed measures included the 6-meter timed hop, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, and the ACL-Return to Sport after Injury scale. Findings indicated that hop tests are reliable tools for assessing lower-limb function, though their predictive accuracy for RTS and reinjury risk varied across studies. Psychological readiness, particularly self-confidence and fear of reinjury, showed a strong association with RTS outcomes. Overall, the evidence supports that combining psychological evaluations with hop test batteries provides a more comprehensive assessment of RTS readiness than functional testing alone. These findings highlight the need to integrate both functional and psychological domains when developing clinically relevant, evidence-based RTS criteria for soccer players following ACLR.