Effectiveness of Field-Based Resistance Training Protocols on Hip Muscle Strength among Young Elite Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Sport-related groin injury is a frequent clinical condition found in footballers. Current evidence on the effect of training protocols on groin injuries is limited, and further randomized controlled trials are needed.

Aim: To examine the effects of an 8-week progressive resistance training program on hip joint muscle strength measures, using the Copenhagen adduction (CA) and the sliding hip (SH) exercises.

Methods: Forty-two young male football athletes (age 17.5±1.1 years; height 178.3±3.2 cm; body mass 66.1±8.6 kg) participated in the study. A randomized controlled trial design was used. Players were randomized into a group performing two sessions per week of CA, a group performing two sessions per week of SH or a control group. Players performed maximal eccentric strength tests for both the hip adductor (EHAD) and hip abductor (EHAB) muscles.

Results: The CA group had a significant strength increase in the right and left leg (d = 2.11, d = 1.9, respectively). The SH group also had a significant strength increase in the right and left leg (d = 1.68 and d = 1.67, respectively). The CA group presented EHAD/EHAB improvements in the right and left leg (d = 0.84 and d = 1.14, respectively). The SH group also presented EHAD/EHAB improvements in the right and left leg (d = 1.34 and d = 1.44, respectively).

Conclusion: Both the CA and SH protocols were effective in inducing significant improvements on EHAD, EHAB and EHAD/EHAB ratio when compared to the control group. Practitioners should be aware of the training effectiveness of both protocols.