Abstract
BACKGROUND: Soccer players with weak hip-adductor muscles are at increased risk of sustaining groin injuries. Therefore, a simple hip-adductor strengthening programme for prevention of groin injuries is needed.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of an 8-week hip-adductor strengthening programme, including one hip-adduction exercise, on eccentric and isometric hip-adduction strength, using elastic bands as external load.
METHODS: Thirty-four healthy, sub-elite soccer players, mean (±SD) age of 22.1 (±3.3) years, were randomised to either training or control. During the mid-season break, the training group performed 8 weeks of supervised, progressive hip-adduction strength training using elastic bands. The participants performed two training sessions per week (weeks 1-2) with 3×15 repetition maximum loading (RM), three training sessions per week (weeks 3-6) with 3×10 RM and three training sessions per week (weeks 7-8) with 3×8 RM. Eccentric hip-adduction (EHAD), isometric hip-adduction (IHAD) and isometric hip-abduction (IHAB) strength, and the IHAD/IHAB ratio were measured assessor-blinded preintervention and postintervention, using reliable hand-held dynamometry procedures.
RESULTS: In the training group, EHAD strength increased by 30% (p<0.001). In the control group, EHAD strength increased by 17% (p<0.001), but the increase was significantly larger in the training group compared with the control group (p=0.044). No other significant between-group strength-differences in IHAD, IHAB or the IHAD/IHAB ratio existed (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: 8 weeks of hip-adduction strength training, using elastic bands, induce a relevant increase in eccentric hip-adduction strength in soccer players, and thus may have implications as a promising approach towards prevention of groin injuries in soccer.
Original language | English |
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Journal | British Journal of Sports Medicine |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 4 |
Pages (from-to) | 332-338 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISSN | 0306-3674 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2014 |
Keywords
- Athletic Injuries
- Hip
- Humans
- Male
- Muscle Strength
- Muscle, Skeletal
- Range of Motion, Articular
- Resistance Training
- Soccer
- Tendon Injuries
- Thigh
- Young Adult