Masterclass: Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Triple Hop Testing?

Abstract

The triple hop test is a widely used, practical tool that allows physical therapists to assess an athlete's readiness to return-to-sport (RTS) following injury. However, recent consensus statements have raised concerns that hop distance alone may be insufficient to capture the complexity of functional recovery or to fully assess inter-limb symmetry, potentially masking readiness and increasing the risk of reinjury. In this Masterclass: exemplar kinetic and kinematic data for the triple hop are detailed; the utility of the quintuple hop introduced; the distinction between outcome and movement strategy variables discussed within an asymmetry context; and, the integration of accessible, cost-effective technologies within a tier-based framework for RTS assessment outlined. The aim of the article is to enhance the evaluation of movement strategies and support clinicians in making more informed and confident RTS decisions.