## 4 Conclusions  
Non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries (NC-ACLs) are prevalent in sports, causing significant physical and socioeconomic impacts. Effective prevention is the implementation of tailored programs focusing on proprioception, neuromuscular coordination, and biomechanical corrections. Rehabilitation following an ACL injury is critical for restoring function and preventing re-injury. A criterion-based approach addressing pain, range of motion, muscle strengthening, and neuromuscular re-education is essential for optimal recovery. Future research should explore innovative, personalized strategies to further reduce NC-ACL rates and improve recovery outcomes.  
Conceptualization, D.F. and L.A.; methodology, D.F.; investigation, D.F., P.Z. and G.M.; writing--original draft preparation, D.F., P.Z. and G.M.; writing--review and editing, L.A.; supervision, F.R., G.V., R.P. and V.D. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research received no external funding.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Rehabilitation Stage** & **Main Contents** & **Objective** \\ \hline \multirow{8}{*}{Early stage} & Pain medication, cryotherapy, compression, and elevation [64; 66] & Solve pain and swelling \\  & Active and passive mobilization exercises prioritizing the recovery of & full extension [63; 83] & Recover complete ROM \\  & Ice, NMES, TENS, BFR, fatigue exercises for the hamstrings, and & \\  & active exercise of the quadriceps [79; 89; 90; 91; 95; 142] & \\  & OKC exercises should be safe with a reduced ROM (45–90\({}^{\circ}\)) and low & \\  & load [63; 110; 148] & \\  & If hamstrings were chosen as grafts, their functional recovery should & \\  & be delayed until 6-8 weeks after surgery [63; 110; 124] & \\  & The resumption of weight bearing depends on the procedures & \\  & associated with ACLR, such as chemical repair, extra-articular & \\  & ligament reconstructions, and bone procedures [63] & \\  & Re-education to normal gait [63] & \\ \hline \multirow{8}{*}{Mid-stage} & OKC, CKC, and functional exercises [63; 80] & Restore quadriceps and knee \\  & Strengthen the muscles that support and stabilize the joints both & \\  & above and below the knee (triceps sura, hip, and core muscles) & \\  & [62; 125; 127] & \\  & Postural and joint control exercises, proprioception exercises, & \\  & reactivation or inhibition programs to re-establish muscular synergy, & \\  & and flexibility exercises [62] & \\  & Strength exercises targeting the upper body, deep water running in a & \\  & swimming pool, stationary biking [62] & \\ \hline \multirow{8}{*}{Late stage} & Explosive development of force with isometric tasks, ballistic exercise & Restore explosive \\  & (jumping), full OKC and CKC exercises [166; 167; 168] & neuromuscular performance \\  & Solve muscle strength imbalances/agonist weakness [86] & \\  & Optimize neuromuscular activation [61; 62] & \\  & 2D visual movement assessments [169] & \\  & Engage in sport-specific tasks by simulating realistic environments & \\  & and stimuli [170] & \\  & On-field rehabilitation [171] & \\  & Cardiovascular training [61] & \\  & Prolonged exposure to effort [172] & \\  & Meet the criteria for RTS (psychological readiness, muscle strength, & \\  & graft healing at MRI, functional tests, etc.) [173; 174; 175; 176] & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Abbreviations: ACL = anterior cruciate ligament; ACLR = anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; AMI = arthrogenic muscle inhibition; BFR = blood flow restriction; CKC = closed kinetic chain; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; NMES = neuromuscular electrical stimulation; OKC = open kinetic chain; RTS = return to sport; TENS = transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.  
\end{table}
Table 2: Rehabilitation stages following NC-ACLs.