Return to Sport Testing: Keller PT’s Guide to Safe ACL Recovery

The Importance of Return to Sport Testing After an ACL Injury

Recovering from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury is a long and structured process, requiring progressive rehabilitation, strength rebuilding, and movement retraining. One of the most critical phases of recovery is Return to Sport (RTS) testing, which ensures that athletes have regained the necessary strength, mobility, balance, and confidence to safely return to competition.

At Elevation Athletics Physical Therapy and Performance in Keller, TX, we provide location physical therapy that includes comprehensive Return to Sport testing. Our physical therapists in Keller use evidence-based assessments to determine whether an athlete is truly ready to return to their sport while minimizing the risk of re-injury.

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Key Milestones in ACL Recovery

1. Regaining Strength and Mobility

The first phase of ACL rehabilitation focuses on reducing pain, restoring knee mobility, and rebuilding strength. Before progressing to more advanced movements, athletes must regain at least 90% of their strength compared to the non-injured leg.

At our physical therapy clinic in Keller, we measure key factors such as:

• Quadriceps and hamstring strength using functional resistance tests
• Knee range of motion to ensure full flexion and extension
• Single-leg stability and weight distribution to prevent compensatory movement patterns

This phase ensures that athletes build a strong foundation for dynamic movements.

2. Balance, Coordination, and Proprioception Training

Athletes recovering from ACL injuries often experience proprioceptive deficits, meaning their body may struggle to recognize its position in space. Improving balance and coordination is essential to reducing the risk of re-injury.

Our physical therapists in Keller incorporate:

• Single-leg balance tests to assess joint control and stability
• Neuromuscular retraining to improve knee control during movement
• Reactive agility drills to prepare athletes for unpredictable game-time scenarios

By mastering these elements, athletes can transition to cutting, pivoting, and jumping exercises with confidence.

3. Sport-Specific Movements and Agility Drills

Once strength and balance are restored, athletes must demonstrate proper mechanics during dynamic movements. At Elevation Athletics Physical Therapy and Performance, we use sport-specific drills to evaluate:

• Jump landing mechanics to assess impact control
• Acceleration and deceleration ability to test knee stability under speed
• Cutting and change of direction drills to determine agility readiness

Athletes who complete these movements with symmetry, control, and without compensations are one step closer to return to play.

4. Psychological Readiness and Confidence Assessment

Returning to sport is not just about physical recovery—it’s also about mental readiness. Fear of re-injury can limit an athlete’s ability to move freely and perform at their highest level.

Our physical therapy clinic in Keller evaluates psychological readiness through:

• Athlete self-assessments on confidence and fear of movement
• Performance-based testing to ensure full commitment to movement
• Gradual exposure to game-like conditions to rebuild trust in the knee

By addressing the mental and emotional aspects of recovery, we help athletes return stronger and more confident.

When Is an Athlete Ready to Return?

There is no fixed timeline for returning to sport after an ACL injury, but research shows that returning too soon significantly increases re-injury risk. Athletes must meet specific criteria in strength, balance, agility, and psychological readiness before they are cleared for full participation.

At Elevation Athletics Physical Therapy and Performance in Keller, our Return to Sport testing ensures that each athlete is not just pain-free but fully prepared to handle the demands of their sport.

Train Smarter with Elevation Athletics in Keller

If you’re recovering from an ACL injury and want to ensure a safe and successful return to competition, our physical therapists in Keller can guide you through a structured rehabilitation and Return to Sport testing process.

Contact our physical therapy clinic in Keller today to schedule a comprehensive assessment and take the next step toward getting back in the game stronger than ever.