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Return to Play Testing for Safe Athlete Recovery
Knowing when to progress an athlete to the next stage of rehab requires a wide range of metrics. This typically has required physical therapists to have a full suite of tech in their return to play testing battery.
Output offers the versatility to get key rehabilitation data at a fraction of the cost of other devices.
Measure asymmetries in a versatile set of performance markets
Evaluate asymmetry across dynamic movements, explosive strength, power, and neuromuscular function.
Objectively evaluate clear progression markers in the return to play pathway.
Quickly compare results to baseline or pre-injury metrics.Make better informed clinical decisions with objective baseline rehabilitation markers.
CASE STUDY: ACL REHAB
Learn about Al Murdoch's 'Fast to Fit' ACL rehab framework, and how he uses the Output platform to accelerate return to play testing and training after an ACL injury.
Return to Play
Frequently Asked Questions
The 7 stages of return to play form a criterion-based progression protocol moving an athlete from rest to full sport. They include rest, aerobic work, sport drills, non-contact training, full training, and competition. Each stage must meet clear return to play criteria. With Output’s phase-based performance profiling and comprehensive test battery overview, progression is guided by objective benchmarks.
The return to play process for a concussion varies, but most roadmaps recommend at least 7–10 days. Progression depends on meeting return to play criteria, not fixed timelines. Clinicians often include balance tests, cognitive assessments, and symptom monitoring as part of the protocol. Output’s multi-metric athlete profiles allow tracking of mobility, strength, and balance objectively, helping ensure safe, evidence-based decisions throughout recovery.
Only a qualified healthcare professional, such as a physician or physiotherapist, can clear an athlete to return to play. Decisions must follow return to play criteria and objective testing. Using Output’s system, joint-by-joint mobility, strength, and movement metrics are easy to collect, giving clinicians clear, research-backed data to support their judgment and guide safe return-to-sport.
The “3 concussion rule” suggested retirement after three concussions, but this is outdated. Modern return to play criteria focus on individual recovery and medical assessment. Clinicians now use return to play testing and multi-metric athlete profiles to track recovery more precisely, making decisions case by case rather than following one-size-fits-all guidelines. Output helps provide the objective data needed.
The final decision on return to play is always made by a licensed medical professional. While athletes or coaches may feel ready, clearance must follow a criterion-based progression protocol and be supported by return to play testing. Output’s comprehensive test battery overview ensures clinicians have objective, validated data to confirm athletes are ready to return safely to competition.