Hip adduction strength and provoked groin pain: A comparison of long-lever squeeze testing using the ForceFrame and the Copenhagen 5-Second-Squeeze test

Publication
Physical Therapy in Sport, 55(28-36)

Abstract

Objectives
To compare long-lever squeeze testing using the ForceFrame and the Copenhagen 5-Second Squeeze test (5SST) for assessment of hip adduction strength and provoked groin pain in elite male soccer players.

Design
Cross-sectional study.

Setting
Pre-season testing at facilities of a Danish professional 1st tier soccer club and academy.

Participants
Elite male soccer players (n ¼ 83, mean age; 16 ± 2.7 years) from U13, U14, U15, U17, U19 and senior teams cleared for full training and match participation.

Main outcome measures
Maximum isometric hip adduction strength (Nm/kg) and provoked groin pain (NRS 0-10).

Results
Hip adduction strength was 16% lower in the ForceFrame. A Bland-Altman plot showed a systematic bias (-0.47 Nm/kg, 95% CI[-0.57; -0.38]) and lack of agreement (95% limits of agreement: -1.31;0.39 Nm/kg). In the ForceFrame, provoked groin pain was less intense (median NRS 0 [IQR: 0e1] vs. 5SST:1 [IQR: 0e3], p < 0.001) and reported by fewer players (NRS >0) (27% [n ¼ 22] vs. 5SST: 61.4% [n ¼ 51],p < 0.001).

Conclusions
The ForceFrame and the 5SST lack agreement and are not interchangeable methods. This may have implications when selecting a method for screening and detecting early groin problems in male soccer players.

Lasse Ishøi
Lasse Ishøi
Head of Sport and Data Science at Football Club Nordsjælland (a Danish first tier club), and postdoc at Sports Orthopedic Research Center - Copenhagen (SORC-C)

My research interests include sport science, sport physiotherapy, and sport injuries.

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