Can the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise Prevent Groin Injuries in Soccer Players? A Critically Appraised Topic.

CLINICAL SCENARIO: Injuries that affect the groin region are among the most common in football players. To prevent this condition, studies have focused on strengthening the adductors, hip flexors, or abdominal muscles. Recent investigations have used an eccentric-biased exercise (Copenhagen Adduction Exercise [CAE]) that promotes functional and architectural adaptations in the muscle tissue, though its effect on injury risk reduction is unknown. CLINICAL QUESTION: Can the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise prevent groin injuries in soccer players? SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS: The literature was searched for studies investigating the potential groin injury risk reduction effect of the CAE. (1) Three studies met the inclusion criteria and were used for this appraisal; (2) one study observed a significantly lower injury rate ratio favoring the group that used the CAE program; and (3) 2 studies found similar or higher injury rates in the intervention groups, not supporting the inclusion of the CAE as a preventative tool. CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: There is conflicting evidence that usage of the CAE is superior to not performing adductor strengthening exercises in mitigating the risk of sustaining groin injuries. Given the evidence supporting these findings, it is advisable to exercise caution when contemplating the incorporation of the CAE into training regimens aimed at preventing groin injuries. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION: There is Grade B evidence to suggest that inclusion of the CAE may not be associated with reduced injury rates.

Characterising groin pain in rink hockey: Function and five-second squeeze in Spanish players.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between history of past season groin pain and current pain during the five-second squeeze test (5SST) with groin function and adductor strength in rink hockey players. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: First (Ok Liga), Second (Plata) and third division (Bronce) clubs. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight female and 183 male hockey players. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seasonal prevalence of groin pain (time/non-time-loss). Adductor strength and pain during the 5SST. Function was evaluated with the Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS). RESULTS: Seasonal time-loss groin pain prevalence was 21%. Male players had 3.5 higher odds of having had an episode of time-loss groin pain during the previous season compared to female players. The adductor relative strength was no different between players with and without previous season groin injury (p = 0.53-0.55), while the HAGOS results differed between groups, with past season groin injury players obtaining lower values in all subscales. HAGOS scores differed between the 5SST pain intensity groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Male players had higher odds of having had a groin injury in the previous season compared to female players. Players with pain during 5SST and previous season groin injury reported functional deficits, while strength remains identical to their healthy counterparts.