Injury surveillance, on-field rehabilitation and return-to-play criteria: A survey of current practices in male professional football

Injuries in professional football present complex challenges to multiple stakeholders. Subsequent rehabilitation processes are guided by epidemiological research and rehabilitation frameworks providing objective criteria informing decision-making. Processes must constantly evolve to provide support and minimise subsequent injury risk. The aims of this exploratory study were to investigate current practices in injury surveillance, on-field rehabilitation (OFR) and return-to-play (RTP) criteria in male professional football. In total, 81 practitioners responded to an online survey consisting of 34 questions divided into four sections: 1) practitioner demographics, 2) injury data collection and monitoring, 3) OFR and RTP criteria, and 4) decision-making process for return-to-training and RTP. Results indicate that for injury data collection, variability exists in rehabilitation end-date classification, post-rehabilitation timeframes, and a potential disparity between subsequent injury classification and reporting. A range of external running load metrics and objective targets are used to monitor and progress OFR, indicating lack of consensus and availability of validated objective criteria. A multidisciplinary, shared decision-making approach is adopted, including input from players; however, communication was highlighted as a key area to improve. Findings of this study may be beneficial for practitioners developing internal rehabilitation procedures and for identifying future research gaps that could result in positive rehabilitation outcomes.