The Copenhagen Adductor Exercise Trial

University of Bath39 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a 6-week intervention, using the Copenhagen adductor exercise, on adductor muscle strength in sub-elite male footballers. Secondly, it will also examine the effect of a 3-week detraining period, after stopping the Copenhagen adductor exercise, on adductor muscle strength. The primary outcome measure is eccentric hip adduction strength measured using a handheld dynamometer. Additionally, peak isometric adductor squeeze strength will also be measured using a handheld dynamometer. The hypothesis is that strength training of the adductor muscles elicited by the Copenhagen adductor exercise will result in enhanced eccentric hip adduction strength.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Eccentric Hip Adduction Strength

Interventions

The active player is supported on one forearm on the floor and the upper arm is resting along their side. The supporting partner places their hands at the ankle and the knee of the upper leg. The active partner raises their body from the floor and adducts both legs in a three second movement until the body reaches a straight line. The body is then lowered to the ground in a three second movement, the foot of the lower leg touches the ground before performing another repetition.

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 26 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Sub-elite English football player * Age 18-26 * Participant can read, speak and understand English. * Participant can receive and reply to texts on a cell phone using Short Message Services (SMS). * Able to participate fully in competitive football training at time of testing. Exclusion Criteria: * Hip and groin pain resulting in loss of football training and matches in the 2 months prior to commencement of the trial. * Specific strength training of the adductor muscles (\>/1 week) in the 2 months prior to commencement of the trial. * Participant cannot attend strength testing sessions during the study.