A considered return to the sport you love.
Return to sport is a process shared by the athlete and the care team. The goal is to understand readiness, manage the next stage and make informed decisions about the risks that remain.
Participation, sport and performance
Modified participation, returning to sport and regaining previous performance are different stages. The demands and decision points can change as an athlete moves between them.
Look at the whole picture
Readiness may involve injury status, physical capacity, confidence, sport demands and the context of the athlete’s return. Tests can inform discussion, but a result on its own cannot guarantee that reinjury will not occur.
Plan the decision together
Where appropriate, the athlete, clinicians and coaches agree on a progression and the information needed for the next decision. Communication between providers takes place with the patient’s consent.
Explore related care and education
Questions you might have
Does passing a test mean zero risk?
No. Return-to-sport decisions involve uncertainty. Testing can inform the decision alongside clinical assessment, sport context and the athlete’s preferences.
Can I return to modified training first?
Modified participation may be one stage in the process. Whether it is appropriate depends on the injury and the plan agreed with your care team.
Sources and further reading
General education only; this does not diagnose an injury or replace an individual assessment. Care and outcomes vary.