My name is Luis Escudero. For over 10 years, I have been fortunate to work as a physiotherapist in the field of football, and for the last five years, in professional football. During this time, I have gained hands-on experience in managing and rehabilitating musculoskeletal and sports injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. This experience has allowed me to understand the limitations of traditional methodologies, delve into the personal management of elite athletes, and recognize the need to integrate new technologies to optimize outcomes while engaging athletes in an effective yet enjoyable manner.
For over three years, I have been a member of “Team ACL,” a leading group dedicated to research and dissemination on this pathology. The emergence of new technologies in high-performance rehabilitation is no longer a distant future—it is rapidly becoming a reality. This article aims to explore how virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the rehabilitation paradigm for ACL injuries and sports injuries, presenting tools and projects already developed in Europe that are here to stay and raise new questions for the future.

The Impact of New Technologies in Medicine

The integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into medicine, particularly in physiotherapy, has opened new avenues for addressing rehabilitation challenges. From immersive simulations that enhance patient motivation to predictive models that personalize therapies, these tools represent a true revolution. While these technologies were initially confined to experimental settings, they are now being tangibly applied in clinics and hospitals. This is especially evident in ACL rehabilitation, where the combination of VR and AI is making a significant difference. The need to quantify data is a cornerstone of any sports rehabilitation process, as it fosters adherence and encourages the athlete’s active participation in their recovery journey, ultimately aiding their return to the field.
The introduction of technology into rehabilitation is no longer a possibility; it is a reality. Most specialized rehabilitation centers and, particularly, football teams strive to equip themselves with the latest technologies on the market to optimize recovery processes and reduce injury times for their patients or players.
Currently, I have identified up to 16 active projects at the European and global levels that integrate VR, AI, and immersive musculoskeletal rehabilitation, particularly focused on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

These projects can be classified into three main areas:

1. Projects Based on Artificial Intelligence (AI):

• Personalization and Prevention: Platforms like Hylyght utilize data analysis and predictive models to tailor rehabilitation programs to individual needs.
• Therapeutic Automation: Solutions like Robotized Rehabilitation integrate robotic devices with AI to automate and personalize therapeutic exercises, enhancing efficiency and precision.

2. Projects Focused on Virtual Reality (VR):

• Immersive Simulations: Initiatives such as Rezzil create virtual environments that replicate real sports scenarios, optimizing both functional and cognitive rehabilitation.
• Sport-Specific Training: Projects like VRPhysio develop exercises targeting movement patterns specific to sports, preparing athletes for a safe return to activity.

3. Combined Technologies (AI and VR):

• Advanced Analysis: EyeSport combines AI and 4D scanning to analyze biomechanics and optimize rehabilitation protocols.
• Sports Surfaces: IBV EyeSport leverages AI and VR to evaluate and optimize artificial turf surfaces, minimizing injury risks and improving athlete safety.

After analyzing the 16 active projects integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) into anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation, I have chosen to highlight three initiatives that, in my opinion, best represent each technology. These projects stand out for their innovative approach and their significant impact on both clinical practice and sports practice at the professional football club level. Over time, I am confident that we will be able to analyze data from their outcomes, and these initiatives will become a standard in any sports injury rehabilitation. They are at the forefront of modernization, data objectification, and dynamism in the rehabilitation process.

Rezzil: “Virtual Reality for Functional and Cognitive Rehabilitation”

ÍCAROS: “Immersive Technology and Gamification”

Hylyght: “Artificial Intelligence for Personalization and Monitoring”