Characterising groin pain in rink hockey: Function and five-second squeeze in Spanish players

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the relationship between history of past season groin pain and current pain during the five-second squeeze test (5SST) with groin function and adductor strength in rink hockey players.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: First (Ok Liga), Second (Plata) and third division (Bronce) clubs.

Participants: Sixty-eight female and 183 male hockey players.

Main outcome measures: Seasonal prevalence of groin pain (time/non-time-loss). Adductor strength and pain during the 5SST. Function was evaluated with the Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS).

Results: Seasonal time-loss groin pain prevalence was 21%. Male players had 3.5 higher odds of having had an episode of time-loss groin pain during the previous season compared to female players. The adductor relative strength was no different between players with and without previous season groin injury (p = 0.53-0.55), while the HAGOS results differed between groups, with past season groin injury players obtaining lower values in all subscales. HAGOS scores differed between the 5SST pain intensity groups (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Male players had higher odds of having had a groin injury in the previous season compared to female players. Players with pain during 5SST and previous season groin injury reported functional deficits, while strength remains identical to their healthy counterparts.

Keywords: Female athletes; Groin injuries; Hip strength; Multi-directional team sport.