ABSTRACT
Background: Groin injuries often exhibit major problems, such as high rates of recurrence [3],prolonged durations of absence from sports [1], unclear prognosis [4], and its chronicity [4, 5]. This causes time loss and some of the biggest losses in the performances of the players. Thus it has been a challenge for physiotherapists as well as players who suffer from the injury. Only some advances in the exercise therapy has successfully reduced the time loss and provided significant improvement in the performances later on. Studies done by Holmich et al. and Haroy et al. have provided impressive results in treatment of the players suffering from chronic groin pain and overall reduction of adductor related groin injuries. Testing of this exercise therapy protocols on the parameters of the pain reduction, strength and performance improvement and comparing the results amongst each other is yet to be done on the quantitative and qualitative analysis. Aim: To study and compare the effects of the Holmich protocol and Copenhagen protocol in pain reduction strength improvement and performance improvement among young adult footballers with chronic groin pain. 61 footballers with the Method: chronic groin pain complaints were selected as study subjects. Total sample size was then divided into two groups by odd and even method to form two intervention groups for both the protocols (Group A and Group B). Prevalence was tested on the basis of VAS MMT and Hip and Groin Outcome Scale (HAGOS). These intervention groups performed adductor strengthening protocols during their warm up sessions or as a treatment when the players were unable to play for their respective teams. In our studies we have compared the results Results: of the pre interventional findings with post interventional results in two groups of football players (Group A and Group B). The data was then analyzed for inter-group and intra-group analysis and comparison was done statistically. The results from the studies showed 1) Copenhagen protocol was significantly better in terms of the reducing the pain in subjects. 2) Holmich protocol was significantly better in terms of improvement of the strength in subjects. 3) Copenhagen protocol was significantly better in improvement of the performance of the subjects. Conclusion: Both the adductor strengthening protocols have shown significant improvement in terms of treating the subjects but on the basis of pain reduction and performance improvement Copenhagen protocol showed better success rates. Whereas Holmich protocol has excelled in terms of strength improvement amongst the subjects.