Abstract
BackgroundDespite hip and groin pain being commonly reported in elite youth football players, little evidence on risk factors exists. Risk factors in adult football players include reduced hip adductor strength and hip adductor/abductor strength ratios, and lower Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) subscale scores. It is unknown if these factors are also predictive of pain development in youth football players.ObjectiveTo identify whether preseason hip adductor and abductor strength and HAGOS subscale scores of male and female elite youth football players are associated with in-season or historical (lifetime) hip and groin pain.MethodsPreseason hip adductor and abductor strength testing and the HAGOS were undertaken by 105 elite male (n = 58) and female (n = 47) football players aged 11–15 years. Medical staff documented both players’ self-reported historical and in-season hip and groin pain. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were undertaken with main outcome measures in-season hip and groin pain and historical hip and groin pain and independent variables of hip muscle strength, hip muscle torque and HAGOS subscale scores.ResultsTwenty-three players (21.9%) self-reported in-season hip and groin pain, while 19 players (18.1%) self-reported historical hip and groin pain. Pre-season hip adductor and abductor variables and HAGOS subscale scores failed to predict in-season hip and groin pain. However, a higher body mass index (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32; 95% CI 1.01, 1.73, p = .043) and being male (OR 5.71; 95% CI 1.65, 19.7) were associated with having in-season hip and groin pain (R2 = 0.211). There was also an association between historical hip and groin pain (R2 = 0.579) and both HAGOS subscale Quality of Life (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95% CI 0.77, 0.91, p < .001) and mean abductor torque (OR = 11.85; 95% CI 1.52, 91.97; p = .018).ConclusionPre-season hip adductor and abductor strength and HAGOS subscale scores did not predict subsequent in-season hip and groin pain in elite youth football players. However, pre-season higher hip abductor strength and lower HAGOS scores were retrospectively associated with historical hip and groin pain.
Highlights
Despite hip and groin pain being commonly reported in elite youth football players, little evidence on risk factors exists
Pre-season higher hip abductor strength and lower Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) scores were retrospectively associated with historical hip and groin pain
The aim of the current study was to determine if hip adductor and abductor muscle strength and HAGOS subscale scores can be used to predict which players may experience hip and groin pain during the season, and whether they are associated with historical hip and groin pain in elite youth football players
Summary
Despite hip and groin pain being commonly reported in elite youth football players, little evidence on risk factors exists. Modifiable risk factors for hip and groin pain in adult football players include increased weight, differences in external rotation range of motion between hips [7], higher levels of play, lower levels of sport specific training and reduced hip adductor strength [8]. As none of these modifiable risk factors for hip and groin pain have been prospectively investigated in elite youth football players, it is unclear if they are predictive of pain in this population
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