Adductor strengthening programme improves groin injury risk factors in youth football players.

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial evaluated an 8-week adductor strengthening programme on improving groin injury risk factors in youth football players. Fifty-four youth players (23 female, 43%) were randomized into an intervention group (n = 27, performing two weekly adductor sessions before regular training) and a control group (n = 27, regular training only). The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements than controls in bilateral eccentric hip adduction strength (EHADS) (left: mean difference (MD) = 0.28; right: MD = 0.27, Nm/kg, p < 0.001) and EHADS: eccentric hip abduction strength ratios (left: MD = 0.07; right: MD = 0.06, p < 0.05), with female players showing higher increases than males in left-side EHADS (31.9% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.004). The intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in the Hip and Groin Outcome Score subscales (symptoms, participation in physical activities, quality of life, p < 0.05), but not the control group (p > 0.05). The programme effectively improves groin injury risk factors, particularly benefiting female athletes, and should be integrated into youth football training.