The Copenhagen Adduction Exercise Reduces Risk Of Groin Injury Among Youth Soccer Players:a Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of Copenhagen adduction exercise (CAE) on groin injuries in youth soccer players. METHODS: 47 soccer players (male24, female23) of Tongji University were randomized into an intervention group (n = 23, age20 ± 1.2 years) and a control group (n = 24, age20 ± 1.8 years). The intervention group performed CAE training during 8 weeks. The control group were instructed to train as normal. The eccentric hip adduction strength (EHADS), eccentric hip abduction strength (EHABS), The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) were measured using reliable test procedures at baseline and follow-up by a blinded tester. RESULTS: In 8 weeks, a total of 7 injuries were reported. The average prevalence of groin problems was 0.695/1000 h in the intervention group and 0.889/1000 h in the control group. The risk of reporting groin problems was 65.7% lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. The intervention group demonstrated a 21% increase in EHADS (157.4 ± 32.8 N;187.7 ± 28.2 N,P < 0.01), both the left and right side increased significantly (left leg+22.6%; right leg+16%, P < 0.01); and a 15% increase in EHADS/EHABS ratio (0.79 ± 0.14;0.89 ± 1.0,P < 0.01). The total score of HAGOS in the intervention group increased significantly (87.7 ± 9.4, 90.8 ± 6.3, P < 0.05), with significance in functional physical activity module (P < 0.05) and high significance in modules of symptoms (P < 0.01) and quality of life (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of groin injury was reduced in youth soccer players. And there was a great significant increase in EHADS, EHABS, EHADS/EHABS ratio and HAGOS questionnaire score. These results could indicate that CAE would be a suitable protocol designed for the prevention and rehabilitation of groin injuries.