The Criteria Determining Decisions to Return to Play Following Hip and Groin Injuries in Soccer Players. A Scoping Review

Objectives: To examine the criteria used in return-to-play (RTP) decision-making following hip and groin injuries in soccer players. Design: Scoping review. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases using keywords related to RTP and hip and groin injuries. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed articles in English that reported at least one RTP criterion for soccer players recovering from a hip and groin injury. Results: The search yielded 1,055 studies, of which eight met the inclusion criteria. Due to the heterogeneity of RTP criteria, we categorized them into three domains: clinical, functional, and sport-specific on-field criteria. Clinical criteria were reported in seven of the eight studies, with absence of pain being the most frequently described criterion. Functional criteria were present in six studies, with strength assessments being the most commonly used measure. Sport-specific or pitch-based criteria were reported in six studies, indicating a wide variation in testing approaches. Conclusions: This scoping review summarizes the current RTP criteria for soccer players recovering from hip and groin injuries, highlighting existing gaps in the literature and the need for further research. It provides practitioners with guidance on RTP decision-making and emphasizes the importance of using a combination of clinical, functional, and sport-specific criteria in RTP assessments.