Background: Groin pain, particularly adductor-related groin pain, is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions in soccer players, resulting from repetitive eccentric loading, rapid changes of direction, and kicking actions. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based rehabilitation protocol for the conservative management of adductor-related groin pain in soccer players, focusing on pain reduction and a safe return to sport. Materials and methods: A prospective case series was conducted on 5 male soccer players aged between 18 and 23 years presenting with adductor-related groin pain. The rehabilitation program lasted 8 to 12 weeks, guided mainly by pain tolerance, and was structured into 3 progressive phases. Pain, functionality, and self-reported disability were evaluated at baseline, at one month, and at the end of treatment. Results: All participants achieved a steady reduction in pain intensity, progressing from medium-high initial values to complete resolution or minimal residual symptoms at the end of treatment. Marked improvements were observed in overall functionality and self-reported disability, far exceeding minimal clinically important difference thresholds. All five athletes successfully returned to full competitive activity without any relapses. Conclusion: The proposed active rehabilitation protocol proved to be an effective and safe approach for recovering soccer players with adductor-related groin pain. Despite the limitation of a small sample size, this study provides a solid proof of feasibility for conservative management, laying the groundwork for future clinical studies on larger cohorts.
Background: Il groin pain, e in particolare l'adductor-related groin pain, è una delle patologie muscolo-scheletriche più diffuse tra i calciatori, causata dai continui cambi di direzione, da accelerazioni e sollecitazioni in eccentrica durante la calciata. Obiettivo dello studio: Valutare l'efficacia di un protocollo riabilitativo basato sulle evidenze scientifiche per la gestione conservativa del dolore inguinale correlato agli adduttori in calciatori, puntando alla riduzione del dolore e al sicuro return to sport. Materiali e metodi: È stato condotto uno studio di tipo case series prospettico su 5 calciatori maschi di età compresa tra i 18 e i 23 anni con adductor-related groin pain. Il percorso riabilitativo, guidato principalmente dalla tolleranza del dolore, è durato tra le 8 e le 12 settimane ed è stato articolato in 3 fasi progressive. La valutazione del dolore, della funzionalità e della disabilità auto-riferita è avvenuta all'inizio, a un mese e a fine trattamento. Risultati: Tutti i soggetti hanno mostrato una riduzione costante dell'intensità del dolore, passando da valori iniziali medio-alti fino all'azzeramento o a valori minimi al termine del percorso. Si sono registrati chiari e significativi miglioramenti per quanto riguarda la funzionalità e la disabilità auto-riferita, superando ampiamente le soglie di rilevanza clinica. Tutti e cinque gli atleti sono tornati alla normale attività agonistica in sicurezza e senza riacutizzazioni. Conclusione: Il protocollo si è dimostrato un approccio efficace e sicuro per il recupero dei calciatori con dolore inguinale correlato agli adduttori. Pur con i limiti dovuti al piccolo campione preso in esame, lo studio rappresenta una solida prova di fattibilità e un valido punto di partenza per la gestione conservativa di questa condizione, affidando a futuri studi su coorti più estese la conferma dei dati.
Groin pain: gestione del calciatore in-season.
POLUCCI, GIORGIO
2025/2026
Abstract
Background: Groin pain, particularly adductor-related groin pain, is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions in soccer players, resulting from repetitive eccentric loading, rapid changes of direction, and kicking actions. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based rehabilitation protocol for the conservative management of adductor-related groin pain in soccer players, focusing on pain reduction and a safe return to sport. Materials and methods: A prospective case series was conducted on 5 male soccer players aged between 18 and 23 years presenting with adductor-related groin pain. The rehabilitation program lasted 8 to 12 weeks, guided mainly by pain tolerance, and was structured into 3 progressive phases. Pain, functionality, and self-reported disability were evaluated at baseline, at one month, and at the end of treatment. Results: All participants achieved a steady reduction in pain intensity, progressing from medium-high initial values to complete resolution or minimal residual symptoms at the end of treatment. Marked improvements were observed in overall functionality and self-reported disability, far exceeding minimal clinically important difference thresholds. All five athletes successfully returned to full competitive activity without any relapses. Conclusion: The proposed active rehabilitation protocol proved to be an effective and safe approach for recovering soccer players with adductor-related groin pain. Despite the limitation of a small sample size, this study provides a solid proof of feasibility for conservative management, laying the groundwork for future clinical studies on larger cohorts.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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TESI DI LAUREA.pdf
accesso aperto
Descrizione: Laurea in fisioterapia. Candidato: Giorgio Polucci. Matricola: S1117191
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12075/29931