Soccer players with previous groin pain are at increased risk for groin problems in the new season, according to data from a new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Does Past Groin Pain Increase Risk of Soccer Injury?
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Secondary#soccer#groininjuries
The study, “Past-season, pre-season and in-season risk assessment of groin problems in male football players: a prospective full-season players: a prospective full-season study,” published on March 10, 20210 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, assessed past-season, pre-season and in-season risk factors for groin pain in male amateur soccer players.
Chronic groin pain or pubalgia is a common problem in soccer players because of the repetitive stress on abdominal muscles and hip flexors and adductors that can cause strain, tears, or stress fractures.
The researchers collected data on past-season groin pain and pre-season short-level and long-lever adductor squeeze strength as well as player age, weight, and lower limb lever length. Then they monitored in-season hip- and groin-related sporting function every 4 weeks during a 39-week competitive season using the Sports and Recreation (Sport) subscale from the Hip and Groin Outcome Score questionnaire.
Primary outcomes included time-loss groin injuries and groin pain irrespective of time loss.
Overall, 245 players suffered from groin pain during the past-season. The researchers found that these players had a 2.4 times higher risk of experiencing a groin problem in the new season (2.40 RR; 95% ICr 1.5 to 3.7). This risk was reduced, however, by 35% (0.65 RR; 95% ICr 0.42 to 0.99) per unit (N·m/kg) increase in the long-lever adductor squeeze test.
Player age, short-lever squeeze test and the Hip and Groin Outcome scores did not appear to influence risk of groin problems, the researchers said.
“Past-season groin pain increased the risk of a groin problem in the new in-season. This risk was reduced by higher pre-season long-lever adductor squeeze strength,” they wrote.
“Past-season groin-pain information and long-lever adductor squeeze strength can be quickly obtained during pre-season to identify players with an elevated risk of in-season groin problems. This may be key to reduce these problems in the new season.”
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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