An interventional study of Hip Adductor Endurance and Strength Testing in Groin Injury, Hip Injuries and Athletic Injuries, sponsored by Izmir Democracy University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-09.
Sponsored by Izmir Democracy University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
Groin and hip injuries are common in team sports-especially soccer, rugby, and ice hockey-and frequently affect male and young athletes. About 14% of all sports injuries involve the groin and hip region, with most related to the adductor muscles. These injuries often increase during congested match periods and may result in athletes missing 1 to 6.9 weeks of training or competition, extending up to 14 weeks when surgery is required. Weakness in the adductor muscles is a key risk factor for groin injuries, and current assessments primarily measure maximal strength using tools such as squeeze tests, sphygmomanometers, or dynamometers. However, muscle endurance-critical because many injuries occur under fatigue-has not been adequately studied, and no validated endurance tests for the hip adductors exist. This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of a newly developed hip adductor endurance test for monitoring endurance strength in professional soccer players.
Groin and hip injuries are common in various team sports such as soccer, rugby, and ice hockey, and are particularly prevalent among male athletes and young athletes aged 15-24 . Studies show that approximately 14% of all injuries occur in the groin and hip regions, and 63% of these are directly related to the adductor muscles . Furthermore, these injuries increase during periods when matches are played at frequent intervals. Research conducted by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) within the scope of the Champions League has reported an injury rate of 1.1 per 1,000 match hours for this type of injury. A significant consequence of these injuries is that players are unable to participate in training or matches for an average of 1 to 6.9 weeks ; when surgical intervention is required, this period can extend up to 14 weeks . This situation strains the financial resources of clubs and negatively affects the overall performance of the team . Given the importance of these injuries, it is crucial to regularly monitor athletes' health and take protective measures when necessary . Weakness in the adductor muscles is an important risk factor in predicting groin and hip injury risk. Adductor muscle strength measurements are usually performed using the hip adductor squeeze test, which is both accurate and reliable. During the test, a measuring device is placed between the player's knees, and they are asked to squeeze their legs together. Research has shown that decreased adductor muscle strength may indicate a risk of groin pain development in soccer players. Furthermore, it has been reported that previously injured athletes have weaker adductor muscles compared to uninjured athletes before the season. This information has led to the development of new monitoring methods to detect early signs of muscle weakness in athletes throughout the season and to initiate strengthening exercises. Therefore, the availability and development of easily applicable tests to determine muscle strength may be beneficial for coaches and physical therapists in preventive interventions.
Various technologies such as sphygmomanometers, isometric dynamometers, and isokinetic dynamometers are used to measure adductor strength. In these measurements, peak force variables obtained during isometric contraction of the adductor muscles are recorded. However, all of these methods have been developed to assess the maximum muscle strength of the adductor muscles. Since the vast majority of muscle injuries develop after muscle fatigue, assessing the muscles' ability to resist force over a long period of time may be indicative in predicting muscle injuries. However, there are no studies in the scientific literature on tests used to measure muscle endurance, which is the ability of the hip adductor muscles to resist prolonged force.
The aim of this study is to examine the validity and reliability of the hip adductor endurance test, which will be used to measure hip adductor endurance strength in professional soccer players.
66 studies on the registry are indexed under Hip Injuries; 12 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 310 is above the median of 61 across 40 interventional studies indexed under Hip Injuries.
Browse Hip Injuries studies →Izmir Democracy University is the lead sponsor of 78 studies on the registry; 32 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants perform the Hip Adductor Endurance Test and GroinBar isometric strength test in randomized order.
Other: Hip Adductor Endurance and Strength Testing
Participants will perform the Hip Adductor Endurance Test to assess adductor muscle endurance, followed by isometric maximum force assessment using the fixed dynamometer (GroinBar) . Tests are conducted in randomized order before routine training sessions, after a 5-minute light aerobic warm-up and dynamic stretching
Pain Assessment
Pain felt during the adductor squeeze test and adductor palpation test, which are applied for inclusion/exclusion criteria, will be assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The patient will be asked to mark the level of pain they feel on a 10 cm line, and the marked location will then be measured with a ruler and recorded.
Time frame: baseline
Evaluation of Maximum Isometric Muscle Strength of the Hip Adductor Muscles
Hip adductor strength of both lower extremities will be assessed simultaneously using the GroinBar fixed dynamometer (VALD Performance, Australia), a highly reliable method (ICC=0.94). Strength will be measured in two positions: short lever arm (hips 60°, knees 90° flexed, force applied at medial knee epicondyles) and long lever arm (hips and knees extended, force applied 5 cm proximal to medial malleoli). Athletes perform three 5-second maximal isometric contractions per position, with 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions and 20-30 seconds between positions. A trial at 80% of maximal effort is allowed before measurement. Verbal encouragement is provided, and the highest values in Newtons (N) for both dominant and non-dominant legs are recorded; strength ratios are subsequently calculated.
Time frame: baseline
Hip Adductor Endurance Test
Hip adductor endurance will be assessed using a time-based version of the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise, which elicits high adductor activation. Participants lie on their side, lift their body concentrically, hold the isometric position as long as possible, and lower eccentrically. The test focuses on maintaining correct alignment and endurance duration rather than maximal force, converting the Copenhagen exercise into an endurance assessment protocol.
Time frame: baseline
Plan to share: No
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Ran from Apr 2026 to primary completion in Sep 2026, 5 months.
Of 26 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Hip Injuries, half reached primary completion within 26 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 65. This study's 5 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 28 studies reached it within 26 months; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 65.
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From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Izmir Democracy University