INTRODUCTION: GROIN INJURY IN SOCCER (FOOTBALL PLAYERS)
In football, kicking is more than just a skill—it’s a high-load, high-risk movement that frequently contributes to groin injuries in players. The act of kicking involves a coordinated sequence of phases, each placing distinct mechanical demands on the pelvis, hip, and thigh muscles. The adductor group—particularly the adductor longus, gracilis, and iliopsoas—plays a central role in stabilizing and powering the kicking leg. During the transition from the backswing to the forward swing, these muscles endure significant eccentric and concentric forces. This phase, as highlighted in Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal Volume 2 edited by Nebojsa Popovic, is considered the most injury-prone due to the sudden change in muscle activity and direction.
Poor neuromuscular control, muscle fatigue, and imbalances increase the risk of strain during this critical transition. The adductor longus, with its long lever arm and role in decelerating the leg, becomes especially vulnerable when players push their bodies to the edge of performance. Popovic notes that groin injuries rarely occur from contact but rather from internal mechanical overload and repetitive stress.
Understanding the distinct phases of kicking and their relationship to groin loading allows clinicians and trainers to develop more targeted strategies for injury prevention, emphasizing strength, control, and timing.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS ASK AS TEAM PHYSIO/ DOCTOR!
Did the patient change the load of activities?
More work, sport or other physical activity?
Was the load increased by longer distances or heavier weights?
Change of equipment, surface or technique?
How was the development of problems correlated to the change of load?
Did the patient have any previous problems of the same kind, perhaps an underlying biomechanical abnormality? Have the symptoms changed?
PHASES OF KICKING THAT CAN TRIGGER GROIN INJURY IN FOOTBALL
Muscle Mechanics: Core stabilizers (transverse abdominis, multifidus) and hip abductors (gluteus medius) prepare the pelvis for controlled motion.
Clinical Correlation: Weakness in core or pelvic stabilizers can result in poor lower-limb alignment, predisposing the groin to overload in later phases.
Backswing Phase:
Muscle Mechanics: The iliopsoas and rectus femoris begin to stretch; adductors (particularly adductor longus and gracilis) work eccentrically to stabilize.
Clinical Correlation: Over-lengthening and lack of eccentric control in the adductors can cause microtrauma, especially in fatigued or under-conditioned muscles.
(LEG COCKING) Transition Phase (Late Backswing to Early Forward Swing): Muscle Mechanics: Rapid switch from eccentric to concentric contraction in the adductors and hip flexors (iliopsoas, rectus femoris). Pelvis undergoes anterior tilt with high rotational torque.
Clinical Correlation: This is the most injury-prone phase. Adductor Longus, due to its long lever arm and role in deceleration, becomes highly susceptible to strain and partial tearing.
4. (BALL IMPACT) Forward Swing Phase also known as (Acceleration):
Muscle Mechanics: Explosive concentric contraction in the adductors, iliopsoas, and rectus femoris to drive the leg forward.
Clinical Correlation: If a player lacks symmetry or compensates with overactive hip flexors, this can increase tensile load on the adductors, risking acute strain or aggravation of existing tendinopathies.
5. Follow-Through Phase:
Muscle Mechanics: Controlled deceleration through eccentric loading of the hamstrings and adductors to halt motion.
Clinical Correlation: Improper deceleration or fatigue may lead to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) or aggravate latent groin pathologies such as adductor-related pain or inguinal disruption.
By: Karamo B. Touray
FIFA DIPLOMA IN FOOTBALL MEDICINE 2017
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
(Majors in Sports Medicine)
LNCT University -Bhopal MP, India
