The Role of Single-Leg Vertical Jump in Return-to-Sport Evaluation After ACL Reconstruction — A Critical Review Based on Optical Motion Capture

Abstract

Anter ior cruciate l igament (ACL) injuries and reconstruction surgeries are very common in sports medicine. Scientific evaluation and documentation of return-to-sport (RTS) readiness are key steps to reduce the risk of re-injury. This paper builds on research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (2022), explaining the use of optical motion capture in evaluating functional performance after ACL reconstruction. The study found that while horizontal hop tests often appear symmetrical, the single-leg vertical jump (SLJ) more effectively reveals deficits in knee joint function. This review summarizes the contributions of the research, critically analyzes its limitations, and proposes directions for future improvement. In addition, ACL injuries are common in sports requiring single-leg deceleration, cutting, and landing movements, such as basketball, soccer, handball, and skiing, with most being non-contact injuries. As competition levels rise, ACL injuries and reconstructions are increasingly frequent, highlighting the necessity of establishing sensitive and reproducible RTS evaluation indicators.