Which example best illustrates functional progression criteria in return-to-sport (RTS) decisions?

• A. Completing sport-specific drills with pain and compensatory movement
• B. Completing sport-specific drills with pain but no compensatory movement
• C. Completing sport-specific drills with no pain and no compensatory movement
• D. Completing only non-sport-specific drills

Answer: (C)

Functional progression criteria in RTS decisions means you advance only when the athlete can handle sport-specific tasks without pain and without altering how they move. The best example is completing sport-specific drills with no pain and no compensatory movement because it shows the body can tolerate sport loads while maintaining normal mechanics. No pain indicates tissues have healed adequately and won’t be stressed by sport demands, and no compensatory movement shows neuromuscular control and strength are sufficient to produce and sustain proper technique. If pain is present, or if abnormal movement patterns occur, progression isn’t appropriate because these signs point to incomplete recovery or weaknesses that could lead to re-injury. Completing only non-sport-specific drills fails to test the exact demands of the sport, so it doesn’t provide a reliable signal that RTS readiness has been achieved.