[hlnx1]

Groin pain is one of the most common and frustrating problems in football. It often starts gradually and lingers for weeks because players keep playing through it.

• Adductor-related pain is the most frequent type, but the hip joint, the pubic area and the abdominal wall can also be involved
• Kicking, sprinting and sharp changes of direction load the adductors heavily
• Strengthening the adductors, for example with the Copenhagen adduction exercise, has shown promise in reducing groin problems in some studies
• Persistent pain needs a proper assessment, because the cause determines the management

Read more: groin and hip injuries in football.

Do you include specific adductor strength work, or only stretching?

[hlnx1]

A gentle starting progression for the Copenhagen adduction: begin with the short-lever version (knee on the bench), 2-3 sets of a few reps per side, twice a week. Progress slowly to the long-lever version over several weeks. It is a demanding exercise, and too much too soon often causes soreness that puts players off.

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