Use of functional performance tests in sports: Evaluation proposal for football players in the rehabilitation phase.

Objectives: Based on the criteria of a group of experts, this study aims to select a set of functional performance tests which can be applied to evaluate the functional status of a football player in the recovery process and make a decision in relation to their return to practice.

Materials And Methods: A total of 16 experts were selected by the coordinator group to judge an initial list of functional performance tests and, thus, reach a consensus about the tests which are best suited to the needs of the injured player. Each of the experts had to evaluate each one of the tests in a scale from 1 to 5 in relation to their suitability. Delphi method was used to reach consensus in the expert group.

Results: From the initial list of 25, the tests which obtained the best evaluation were: Counter movement jump (4.3±0.9), Single hop test (4.1±0.8), Triple hop test (4.1±0.9), Crossover hop test (4.1±0.7), Yo-Yo intermittent recovery (4.2±0.6), Barrow test (4.1±0.6), Shuttle run 8¥5 m (4.1±0.8). Star excursion balance test (4±0.7) and Y balance test (4.1±0.7).

Conclusion: In the opinion of the experts selected here, these tests are the ones which best respond to the needs involved in a complex decision such as RTP.