Prevalence of groin pain in recreational breast stroke swimmers: An observational study

Background: Groin pain is commonly associated with sports involving intense lower limb activity. While much of the existing literature focuses on elite athletes and high-impact sports, limited attention has been given to recreational swimmers, particularly those performing the breaststroke. This swimming style involves a powerful whip-like kick that places considerable stress on the hip adductor muscles, potentially predisposing individuals to overuse injuries. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of groin pain in recreational breaststroke swimmers. Methods: This observational study was conducted in Mumbai, India, over a period of six months. A total of 130 recreational breaststroke swimmers between the ages of 18 and 30 participated. Participants with a prior history of groin injury, other lower limb injuries, or pregnancy were excluded. Standardized clinical tests, namely the Adductor Squeeze Test and Patrick’s Test, were performed to identify signs of groin-related discomfort. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: The participant pool consisted of 68% males and 32% females, with a mean age of 24 years. The prevalence of groin pain was found to be 27.69% using the Adductor Squeeze Test and 32.30% using Patrick’s Test, indicating an overall prevalence of approximately 30% among the study group. Conclusion: The findings highlight a notable prevalence of groin pain in recreational breaststroke swimmers, a population often overlooked in existing sports injury research. This suggests a need for increased awareness, early assessment, and preventive strategies targeting musculoskeletal imbalances and technique errors. Educating recreational swimmers about proper training practices and early symptom management may play a significant role in reducing the burden of groin-related injuries in this group.