While the ACL hop tests display adequate reliability, the current evidence indicates a lack of consistency in their capacity to predict successful outcomes following rehabilitation, either in terms of returning to previous performance levels, or identifying those at a greater risk of re-injury.

The current practice of using 4 hop tests to inform decision making appears to be unnecessary. Using fewer horizontal hop tests provides clinicians with an opportunity to examine a wider range of physical constructs that may offer broader insights into the athlete’s readiness to return to sport.

Hop distance/time should not be the sole measure or performance, and other factors relating to movement control should be assessed and form part of the RTS decision-making process. In addition, measuring the trajectory of progress over time may also give the clinician more useful information for decision making.