What Is Return-to-Sport Testing?
Returning to sport after injury or surgery is one of the most challenging phases of rehabilitation. While pain may have settled and basic strength has returned, many athletes are unsure whether their body is truly ready to resume training or competition.
Return-to-sport testing provides objective information to help guide this decision and reduce the risk of re-injury.
What Is Return-to-Sport Testing?
Return-to-sport testing is a structured assessment process used by physiotherapists to evaluate whether an athlete has regained sufficient strength, control and capacity to safely return to sport.
Testing commonly assesses:
strength and power
balance and movement control
limb symmetry
functional performance
sport-specific tasks
The goal is to move beyond “how it feels” and use measurable data to guide decisions.
Why Pain-Free Does Not Always Mean Ready
Many athletes feel ready to return once pain has reduced. However, research and clinical experience show that strength deficits, movement asymmetries and reduced load tolerance can persist long after symptoms improve.
Returning too early may increase the risk of:
re-injury
compensatory movement patterns
delayed performance progression
loss of confidence
Objective testing helps identify these gaps before return to full sport.
Who Benefits from Return-to-Sport Testing?
Return-to-sport testing is commonly used for:
athletes returning after ACL reconstruction
knee, ankle or shoulder injuries
hamstring or calf strains
post-operative rehabilitation
running-related injuries
Return-to-sport testing is frequently used following knee physiotherapy to assess strength, control and readiness for higher-level activity.adolescent athletes returning to school or club sport
This process is commonly integrated into sports physiotherapy programs for both recreational and competitive athletes.
Athletes returning to running may also benefit from a running assessment to identify movement patterns that influence load and injury risk.
What Does Return-to-Sport Testing Involve?
While testing varies depending on the injury and sport, assessments may include:
strength testing
hop and jump tests
balance and control assessments
agility or change-of-direction tasks
sport-specific drills
comparison between limbs
Results are compared against expected benchmarks and previous performance where available.
How Return-to-Sport Testing Supports Better Outcomes
Objective testing helps:
guide safe progression back to training
identify residual weaknesses
support decision-making with coaches and parents
build athlete confidence
reduce guesswork in late-stage rehab
Testing also provides a clear framework for ongoing rehabilitation if deficits are identified.
Return-to-Sport Testing and Physiotherapy Rehabilitation
Return-to-sport testing is most effective when integrated into a structured physiotherapy program. Strength, movement quality and load tolerance are developed progressively, with testing used to guide each phase.
At In Clinic Physiotherapy, return-to-sport testing is commonly combined with:
sports physiotherapy
running assessments
strength and conditioning programs
post-surgical rehabilitation
Objective testing is often incorporated into surgical rehabilitation following orthopaedic procedures.
When Should Return-to-Sport Testing Be Performed?
Testing is typically performed:
toward the later stages of rehabilitation
once baseline strength and movement have been restored
before returning to unrestricted training or competition
Your physiotherapist will advise on appropriate timing based on your injury, sport and goals.
Book a Return-to-Sport Assessment
If you are preparing to return to sport after injury or surgery, return-to-sport testing can provide valuable insight into readiness and guide safe progression.
Our physiotherapists support athletes across Mosman Park, Cottesloe, Peppermint Grove, Claremont, Dalkeith, Swanbourne, North Fremantle and Nedlands.