A single adductor exercise (the Copenhagen adduction) cut the prevalence of groin problems in male footballers from 21.3% to 13.5% over a season (OR 0.59)
Key Findings
Average prevalence of groin problems across the season was 13.5% with the adductor programme against 21.3% in controls (odds ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.40–0.86).
35 semi-professional Norwegian football teams: intervention 18 teams (339 players), control 17 teams (313 players).
Programme: one exercise with three progression levels, three times a week in the 6–8-week preseason, then once a week through the 28-week season.
Average prevalence of groin problems in the season: 13.5% (95% CI 12.3–14.7) in the intervention group vs 21.3% (20.0–22.6) in controls.
Risk of reporting groin problems was lower in the intervention group: odds ratio 0.59 (95% CI 0.40–0.86, p = 0.008).
Practical Application
What the exercise is: a side-lying adduction exercise in which the upper leg is supported at hip height (by a partner or a bench) and the body is lowered slowly, about three seconds, and raised again; easier levels shorten the lever or use an isometric hold.
The tested dose is small: three times a week while building, once a week to maintain.
For a runner, cyclist or triathlete with a history of groin or adductor trouble it is a reasonable, cheap inclusion — say plainly that the evidence is from football.
Limitations
Male footballers; the outcome is self-reported groin problems on a questionnaire, not diagnosed or time-loss injury.
Sets and repetitions are not given in the abstract (abstract only was read).
A 2025 meta-analysis of this exercise was retracted and is not used.