Research summary · Recovery and rehabilitation
Rebuilding field skills after an ACL injury
This review maps exercises and progression principles used during on-field rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament injury.
- Publication year
- 2026
- First published online
- Publication type
- Scoping review
- Journal
- BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
- Population / context
- Football · Contact team sports
What the publication reports
Thirty-eight sources described programmes commonly progressing from linear movement to multidirectional work, sport skills and game-like activity. Progression considered symptoms, movement, strength and workload rather than time alone.
Limits and interpretation
The literature was largely descriptive and football-focused, with poorly defined professional roles. It does not validate a single rehabilitation sequence, clearance test or safe return date.
Read the source
Consult the original record for the full author list, methods, references, funding and competing-interest disclosures.
On-field rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament injury in contact team sports: a scoping review of exercises, progression and key principles
Original publication / indexed recordPMID: 42688941DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2026-003344Full text at the sourceReader discussion
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