Large eccentric strength increase using the Copenhagen Adduction exercise in football: A randomized controlled trial.
Hip adductor injuries are frequent in football, and players with low adductor strength appear to be at increased risk of injury. High adductor muscle activity has been shown in the Copenhagen Adduction exercise (CA); however, an associated strength gain has not been investigated. This study aims to examine the eccentric hip adduction strength (EHAD) gain using the CA in-season. Two U-19 sub-elite football teams, including 24 football players, were randomized to either an 8-week supervised progressive training program in addition to the usual training (intervention) or to continue training as usual (control). EHAD, eccentric hip abduction strength (EHAB), and side-bridge endurance were measured using reliable test procedures at baseline and follow-up by a blinded tester. There was a significant interaction between group and time on EHAD, EHAB, and EHAD/EHAB ratio (P < 0.025). The intervention group demonstrated a 35.7% increase in EHAD (P < 0.001); a 20.3% increase in EHAB (P = 0.003), and 12.3% increase in EHAD/EHAB ratio (P = 0.019). No significant within-group differences were found in the control group (P > 0.335). Compliance was 91.25%, and median muscle soreness ranged from 0 to 2. The CA implemented in-season with an 8-week progressive training program elicited a large significant increase in EHAD, EHAB, and EHAD/EHAB ratio.
['Ishøi|L|L|', 'Sørensen|C N|CN|', 'Kaae|N M|NM|', 'Jørgensen|L B|LB|', 'Hölmich|P|P|', 'Serner|A|A|']
D000293:Adolescent D056352:Athletes D001265:Athletic Injuries D003718:Denmark D006615:Hip D025981:Hip Injuries D006801:Humans D008297:Male D009119:Muscle Contraction D053580:Muscle Strength D018482:Muscle, Skeletal D055070:Resistance Training D016037:Single-Blind Method D012916:Soccer D055815:Young Adult
hip adductors Resistance training groin injuries prevention