Muscle activity of cutting manoeuvres and soccer inside passing suggests an increased groin injury risk during these movements

Abstract

Cutting manoeuvres and inside passing are thought to increase the risk for sustaining groin injuries. But both movements and cutting manoeuvres in particular have received little research attention in this regard. The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle activity of adductor longus and gracilis as well as hip and knee joint kinematics during 90 °-cutting and inside passing. Thirteen male soccer players were investigated with 3D-motion capturing and surface electromyography of adductor longus and gracilis while performing the two movements. Hip and knee joint kinematics were calculated with AnyBody Modelling System. Muscle activity of both muscles was significantly higher during the cutting manoeuvre compared to inside passing. Kinematics showed that the highest activity occurred during phases of fast muscle lengthening and eccentric contraction of the adductors which is known to increase the groin injury risk. Of both movements, cutting showed the higher activity and is therefore more likely to cause groin injuries. However, passing might also increase the risk for groin injuries as it is one of the most performed actions in soccer, and therefore most likely causes groin injuries through overuse. Practitioners need to be aware of these risks and should prepare players accordingly through strength and flexibility training.

Midseason Screening for Groin Pain, Severity, and Disability in 101 Elite American Youth Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…6,11,12,[20][21][22] The adductor longus undergoes high loads during actions associated with soccer, such as kicking and cutting. 23 During kicking, the adductor longus has high muscle activity and high rate of stretch during the swing phase. 24 Inside passing mimics, an adductor injury mechanism observed by video analysis: motion from hip extension to flexion and hip abduction to adduction while externally rotated.…”