Methodological Considerations for Assessing Performance and Asymmetry in Vertical Jumps Post-ACL Reconstruction: A Scoping Review

The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize the literature regarding methods used to assess vertical jump performance for physical performance monitoring following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Recent literature has identified how common force-time metrics derived from the countermovement (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) tests differ between athletes with ACLR and matched controls (Labban et al., 2024). The authors highlight that several metrics, including jump height and DJ peak ground reaction force, exhibit significant differences between individuals with and without a history of ACLR. Prior syntheses have highlighted substantial heterogeneity in the metrics used, with many metrics reported in only a single study, limiting meaningful comparison. Furthermore, many of the included studies did not define their approach for calculating several variables. This heterogeneity limits the ability to synthesize results between studies and creates confusion for clinicians choosing force plate metrics in ACL return-to-performance (RTP) decision-making. Therefore, the aims of this review are to: (1) identify the tests used; (2) describe the methods used for each test (e.g., instruction, instrumentation); and (3) summarize the metrics and calculation methods used to monitor athletes following ACLR. This will improve understanding of how vertical jump parameters are calculated in the context of ACL RTP. Finally, methodological recommendations will be provided to increase the consistency of test and metric selection for clinicians and performance staff.