Preseason Adductor Squeeze Strength in 303 Spanish Male Soccer Athletes: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background:Hip adductor muscle weakness and a history of groin injury both have been identified as strong risk factors for sustaining a new groin injury. Current groin pain and age have been associated with hip adductor strength. These factors could be related, but this has never been investigated.Purpose:To investigate whether soccer athletes with past-season groin pain and with different durations of past-season groin pain had lower preseason hip adductor squeeze strength compared with those without past-season groin pain. We also investigated whether differences in preseason hip adductor squeeze strength in relation to past-season groin pain and duration were influenced by current groin pain and age.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:In total, 303 male soccer athletes (mean age, 23 ± 4 years; mean weight, 74.0 ± 7.9 kg; mean height, 178.1 ± 6.3 cm) were included in this study. Self-reported data regarding current groin pain, past-season groin pain, and duration were collected. Hip adductor squeeze strength was obtained using 2 different reliable testing procedures: (1) the short-lever (resistance placed between the knees, feet at the examination bed, and 45° of hip flexion) and (2) the long-lever (resistance placed between the ankles and 0° of hip flexion) squeeze tests.Results:There was no difference between those with (n = 123) and without (n = 180) past-season groin pain for hip adductor squeeze strength when adjusting for current groin pain and age. However, athletes with past-season groin pain lasting longer than 6 weeks (n = 27) showed 11.5% and 15.3% lower values on the short-lever (P = .006) and long-lever (P < .001) hip adductor squeeze strength tests, respectively, compared with those without past-season groin pain.Conclusion:Male soccer athletes with past-season groin pain lasting longer than 6 weeks are likely to begin the next season with a high-risk groin injury profile, including a history of groin pain and hip adduction weakness.

Prevalence and severity of groin problems in Spanish football: A prospective study beyond the time‐loss approach

“…The reporting of this prospective cohort study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines . We obtained the present data from a larger study that investigates groin and hamstring injuries in male football . Local ethics committee ( Consell Catala de l'Esport ) approval was received before the study began (reference number 08/2015/CEICEGC).…”

“…14 We obtained the present data from a larger study that investigates groin and hamstring injuries in male football. 15 Local ethics committee (Consell Catala de l'Esport) approval was received before the study began (reference number 08/2015/CEICEGC). The study protocol was in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.…”

Adductor squeeze test and groin injuries in elite football players: A prospective study

“…Several non-modifiable internal risk factors such as previous injury (Engebretsen, Myklebust, Holme, & Engebretsen, 2010;Mosler et al, 2018b), older age (Arnason et al, 2004;O'Connor, 2004), higher level of competition (Tyler, Nicholas, Campbell, & McHugh, 2001), and modifiable risk factors such as decreased range of hip abduction and internal rotation motion (Arnason et al, 2004;Ibrahim, Murrell, & Knapman, 2007;Tak et al, 2016) have been related to an increased likelihood of suffering a groin injury in football players. In addition, isometric adductor muscle weakness and/or a lower ratio between adductor/abductor muscle strength have also been reported as possible physical risk factors for groin injury in football (Engebretsen, Myklebust, Holme, Engebretsen, & Bahr, 2010;Esteve et al, 2018) and other sports (Tyler et al, 2001;Crow et al, 2010;Ryan, DeBurca, & Mc Creesh, 2014;Moreno-P erez, Lopez-Valenciano, Barbado, Moreside, Elvira J, & Vera-Garcia, 2017). The combination of adductor muscle weakness and previous groin injury could further increase the probability of developing groin pain (Engebretsen et al, 2010;Esteve et al, 2018;Mosler et al, 2018b).…”

“…In addition, isometric adductor muscle weakness and/or a lower ratio between adductor/abductor muscle strength have also been reported as possible physical risk factors for groin injury in football (Engebretsen, Myklebust, Holme, Engebretsen, & Bahr, 2010;Esteve et al, 2018) and other sports (Tyler et al, 2001;Crow et al, 2010;Ryan, DeBurca, & Mc Creesh, 2014;Moreno-P erez, Lopez-Valenciano, Barbado, Moreside, Elvira J, & Vera-Garcia, 2017). The combination of adductor muscle weakness and previous groin injury could further increase the probability of developing groin pain (Engebretsen et al, 2010;Esteve et al, 2018;Mosler et al, 2018b). Esteve et al (2018) in a cross-sectional study of amateur football players identified that players who suffered from past-season groin pain for more than 6 weeks showed 13%e19% lower isometric adductor strength than the control players.…”

“…The combination of adductor muscle weakness and previous groin injury could further increase the probability of developing groin pain (Engebretsen et al, 2010;Esteve et al, 2018;Mosler et al, 2018b). Esteve et al (2018) in a cross-sectional study of amateur football players identified that players who suffered from past-season groin pain for more than 6 weeks showed 13%e19% lower isometric adductor strength than the control players. This adds to the hypothesis that low values of isometric adductor strength might increase the risk of having a groin injury.…”