Field-based evaluation of hip adductor and abductor strength in professional male ice hockey players: Reference values and influencing factors

Abstract

Objectives: To provide reference values and examine the influence of hip/groin pain on hip adductor and abductor strength in professional male ice hockey players, by using a straightforward 5-min procedure.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: On-field assessment of hip/groin muscle strength with dynamometry, together with the concomitant level of hip/groin pain with a visual analogue scale.

Participants: Professional male ice hockey players competing in the Swiss National League (n = 187).

Main outcome measures: Hip abductor strength, hip adductor strength and hip adductor:abductor ratio.

Results: Reference values by playing position (goalkeepers, defenders and forwards) are provided for asymptomatic athletes. Players with hip/groin pain during adduction displayed lower hip adductor strength (p = 0.001) and hip adductor:abductor ratio (p = 0.012) than their symptom-free peers.

Conclusions: The presence of hip/groin pain during adductor testing may contribute to selective hip adductor weakness, whose cause-effect relation with possible groin problems remains to be demonstrated.

Keywords: Hip adductors; Hip/groin pain; Ice hockey; Muscle strength.