Impact of a modified progressive Copenhagen adduction exercise programme on hip adduction strength and postexercise muscle soreness in professional footballers

George Polglass, Adam Burrows, Matthew Willett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
303 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Reduced hip adduction strength has been identified as a key predisposing factor in developing hip and groin injuries. The Copenhagen adduction programme has been shown to increase hip adduction strength in semiprofessional footballers but can cause muscle soreness. Therefore, a modified progressive Copenhagen adduction (MPCA) programme has been designed to increase hip adduction strength while limiting muscle soreness.

Objective: To investigate the effect of an 8-week MPCA exercise on eccentric hip adduction and abduction strength in senior professional footballers.

Methods: 25 senior professional footballers completed an 8-week MPCA strengthening programme. Eccentric hip adduction (EHAD) and eccentric hip abduction (EHAB) strengths were measured. Changes in preintervention and postintervention strengths and EHAD:EHAB ratios were calculated. The statistical significance between strength changes was assessed with dependent t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests due to the distribution of the data (p<0.05). Delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) and rate of perceived exertion were measured throughout the programme.

Results: There were statistically significant increases in EHAD strength (24% and 25%, left and right), EHAB strength (10% and 13%, left and right) and the EHAD:EHAB ratio (12% and 10%, left and right) (p<0.01).Professional footballers were able to complete the MPCA exercise with low levels of DOMS.

Conclusion: An 8-week MPCA exercise elicited significant EHAD and EHAB strength increases with reduced levels of muscle soreness in senior professional footballers.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere000570
JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Oct 2019

Bibliographical note

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.

Keywords

  • exercise
  • football
  • groin
  • injury
  • soccer

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