Effects of strength and power training in the late phase of rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in team invasion sport athletes: protocol for a systematic review

Background and objective: This systematic review aims to synthesise the evidence on structured strength, power, plyometric and change-of-direction training programmes applied during the late, advanced or return-to-sport phase of rehabilitation after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in athletes from team invasion/opposition sports, and their effects on strength, power, functional performance, movement quality, return-to-sport readiness, return to sport, reinjury and psychological readiness. Eligibility: Athletes aged ≥16 years (or mean age ≥16) after primary ACLR, including concomitant meniscal or cartilage injury, from team invasion/opposition sports (football, futsal, handball, basketball, rugby, American, Australian and Gaelic football, hurling/camogie, field and ice hockey, lacrosse, netball, ultimate), or mixed samples with ≥75% from these sports or an extractable subgroup. Interventions: structured maximal/submaximal, eccentric, isometric, explosive/power, plyometric or acceleration/deceleration/change-of-direction/agility training in the late phase. Designs: randomised and non-randomised trials, quasi-experimental and pre-post intervention studies, and case series (n ≥5), published as peer-reviewed full texts in English or Spanish. Search: PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus and SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost) were searched from inception to 24 September 2026 without language, date or document-type limits (full strategies in the attached file). 5,969 records were retrieved; 3,034 remained after deduplication and 2,965 after a second deduplication in Rayyan. Methods: One reviewer will screen all 2,965 titles/abstracts and the full texts against the eligibility criteria, followed by data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment and narrative synthesis (meta-analysis if feasible). Reporting will follow PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-S. Status at registration (1 October 2026): Searches completed and deduplicated. Eligibility criteria were finalised on 29 September 2026. Title/abstract screening has not started. An AI tool was used to produce a preliminary classification of records for prioritisation only; all screening decisions will be made by the reviewer. Deviations from this protocol will be reported with date and rationale.