Athlete monitoring in elite male youth football: Hamstring and groin injury prevention

The cascade of match-induced physical change, including transient muscle damage, may increase the risk of hamstring and groin injury at certain times in-season and at specific stages post-match play. There is a need for simple, precise and cost effective measures of physical characteristics that can be utilized in a realistic set-up acceptable to coaches and players.

The aim of one study in this project is to investigate how hamstring strength and lower limb flexibility in football players changes due to competitive match play over a 72-hour follow up period.

Another study aims to implement an in-season monitoring system, including early detection and management, incorporating Hip & Groin Outcome Scores (HAGOS) and hip strength measures over two consecutive seasons, and to describe the results compared to baseline values.

A third study will investigate the effect of a very congested match schedule during an international tournament on the 5-second groin squeeze test, associated pain and a HAGOS.

Staff involved: Martin Wollin, Kristian Thorborg, Tania Pizzari