The sport function subscale of the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score could not be an indicator of postural balance in soccer players with groin pain.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between the Copenhagen Hip and groin outcome score (HAGOS) related to sport and recreation (Sport/Rec) and static and dynamic postural balance in soccer players with groin pain. We hypothesized that better postural balance outcomes would correlate with higher HAGOS Sport/Rec scores in these players.

Methods: Eighty-four soccer players with groin pain from seven soccer teams volunteered to take part in the study. An investigator collected static (stabilometric platform) and dynamic (Y-Balance Test (Y-BT)) postural balance, and patient-reported outcome measures (HAGOS) in the research laboratory. To investigate the association between the postural balance outcomes and the HAGOS Sport/Rec scores, Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) was used.

Results: The included participants presented the following demographic information: age: 21.56 yrs (2.22), height: 1.78 m (0.06), body mass: 75.10 kg (8.41), body mass index: 23.80 km/m² (2.50). The HAGOS Sport/Rec scores showed a small significant positive correlation with the posteromedial reach distance for the Y-BT on both injured (r =0.21, p=0.04) and non-injured (r =0.22, p=0.04) limbs. However, no significant associations (p>0.05) were found between these scores and the other Y-BT outcomes, nor with the static bipedal and unipedal postural balance findings.

Conclusion: Overall, the findings of the present study showed only small positive correlations between the posteromedial direction of the Y-BT and HAGOS Sport/Rec scores. Given the observed small magnitude of correlations and the non-significant associations between the HAGOS Sport/Rec scores and the rest of the Y-BT outcomes or static postural balance outcomes, it appears that Sport/Rec may not serve as a comprehensive indicator for postural balance outcomes. Therefore, coaches and clinicians should consider combining postural balance assessments with HAGOS Sport/Rec scores to comprehensively tailor their interventions to address both the subjective and objective functional aspects of groin pain in soccer players.

Level of evidence: 3: