Mechanisms of acute adductor longus injuries in male football players: A systematic visual video analysis

Andreas Serner, Andrea Britt Mosler, Johannes L. Tol, Roald Bahr, Adam Weir

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Change of direction and kicking have been described as the main actions resulting in adductor longus injury. Video descriptions of inciting events are lacking. Objective: Perform a standardised visual video analysis of a series of acute adductor longus injuries in football. Study design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Video footage was reviewed by players, and assessed independently by five sports medicine professionals. Inciting events were described and categorised using standardised scoring, including playing situation, player/opponent behaviour, movement and body positions. Results: Videos of acute adductor longus injuries in 17 professional male football players were analysed. Most injuries occurred in non-contact situations (71%), following a quick reaction to a change in play (53%). Injury actions were: change of direction (35%), kicking (29%), reaching (24%) and jumping (12%). Change of direction and reaching injuries were categorised as closed chain movements (59%), characterised by hip extension and abduction with external rotation. Kicking and jumping injuries were categorised as open chain (41%), characterised by a change from hip extension to hip flexion, and hip abduction to adduction, with external rotation. Conclusion: Acute adductor longus injuries in football occur in a variety of situations. Player actions can be categorised into closed (change of direction and reaching) and open (kicking and jumping) chain movements involving triplanar hip motion. A rapid muscle activation during a rapid muscle lengthening appears to be the fundamental injury mechanism for acute adductor longus injuries.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)158-164
JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume53
Issue number3
Early online date13 Jul 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

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