LIFE+ Blog

Kicking, cutting, and quick direction changes are a common place in any soccer game.

Whether it be a pick-up game in the park or a championship game at a local stadium, these movements can increase chances of a groin strain. Just the thought of a groin strain is usually enough to make a soccer player cringe. They know that it can be a nagging injury that can keep them away from a serious part of their season or from performing at their optimal level.

Groin strains are typically due to excessive stretching or overuse injury of the muscle- resulting in tearing of the muscles in the groin region called your adductors.  Excessive stretching is pushing beyond your muscles ability to stretch.  Imagine being forced to do the splits.  That’s an example of excessive stretching of the groin. The explosive movements, kicking, and quick changes in direction that soccer requires makes soccer players much more likely to experience a groin strain if they don’t take preventative measures.  Here are some ways to help prevent you from becoming the victim of a nasty groin strain.

Warm Up

• Dynamic movements can help prepare the groin muscles for the explosive movements required for playing
  • Lateral lunge
  • Dynamic Frog stretch (forward/back, rotation, leg movements)
  • World’s greatest stretch

Cool Down

• Short muscles put you at a greater risk for straining those muscles
  • Butterfly
  • Frog stretch
  • Standing stretch on table with hand assist at greater trochanter

Strengthening

• Groin injuries typically occur due to overuse of the adductors rather than solely weakness. Some common reasons we overuse our groin muscles can include poor core strength, gluteal strength, and hamstring strength.
  • Dead Bug with X band
  • Monster box
  • Triple threat

If you become the victim of a groin strain or have noticed repetitive groin strains while playing, it’s probably time to stop by your friendly physical therapists at Coury and Buehler Physical Therapy for a free assessment to get you back to playing the game you love.

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