Implementing an Early Detection Strategy to Detect Early Signs of Groin Problems and to Monitor the Hip Strength of Rugby Union Players Throughout a Season

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to implement and evaluate an early groin-problem-detection strategy and to monitor hip-adduction and -abduction strength of rugby union players during a season.

METHODS: This prospective study consisted of 49 male rugby union players competing at senior club level. Maximal isometric hip-adduction and -abduction strength were assessed in the 0° hip-flexion, long-lever testing position weekly for 28 weeks. Alerts for a potential groin problem were recorded weekly and were defined as performance-limiting hip/groin pain, adduction strength decrease >10%, or adduction:abduction strength ratio <0.90.

RESULTS: Overall, 371 alerts were registered during the study period, by a total of 39 players, with 1 player sustaining a time-loss groin injury. Of those, 337 alerts were strength-related, while 34 alerts were pain-related. Players who triggered a strength-related alert had lower baseline hip-adduction strength (2.03 [0.56] N·m/kg) and significantly lower (P = .049) baseline hip-adduction:abduction strength ratio (0.97 [0.22]) compared with players who did not trigger a strength-related alert (2.30 [0.41] N·m/kg and 1.12 [0.12], respectively). Players who triggered a pain-related alert had significantly lower (P = .049) baseline hip-adduction strength (1.86 [0.58] N·m/kg) and lower hip-adduction:abduction strength ratio (0.99 [0.24]) compared with players who did not trigger a pain-related alert (2.27 [0.48] N·m/kg and 1.08 [0.17], respectively).

CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that an early detection strategy can identify players developing groin problems and can be implemented throughout a full season.