@article {Jensen332, author = {Jesper Jensen and Per H{\"o}lmich and Thomas Bandholm and Mette K Zebis and Lars L Andersen and Kristian Thorborg}, title = {Eccentric strengthening effect of hip-adductor training with elastic bands in soccer players: a randomised controlled trial}, volume = {48}, number = {4}, pages = {332--338}, year = {2014}, doi = {10.1136/bjsports-2012-091095}, publisher = {British Association of Sport and Excercise Medicine}, abstract = {Background Soccer players with weak hip-adductor muscles are at increased risk of sustaining groin injuries. Therefore, a simple hip-adductor strengthening programme for prevention of groin injuries is needed. Objective We aimed to investigate the effect of an 8-week hip-adductor strengthening programme, including one hip-adduction exercise, on eccentric and isometric hip-adduction strength, using elastic bands as external load. Methods Thirty-four healthy, sub-elite soccer players, mean ({\textpm}SD) age of 22.1 ({\textpm}3.3) years, were randomised to either training or control. During the mid-season break, the training group performed 8 weeks of supervised, progressive hip-adduction strength training using elastic bands. The participants performed two training sessions per week (weeks 1{\textendash}2) with 3{\texttimes}15 repetition maximum loading (RM), three training sessions per week (weeks 3{\textendash}6) with 3{\texttimes}10 RM and three training sessions per week (weeks 7{\textendash}8) with 3{\texttimes}8 RM. Eccentric hip-adduction (EHAD), isometric hip-adduction (IHAD) and isometric hip-abduction (IHAB) strength, and the IHAD/IHAB ratio were measured assessor-blinded preintervention and postintervention, using reliable hand-held dynamometry procedures. Results In the training group, EHAD strength increased by 30\% (p\<0.001). In the control group, EHAD strength increased by 17\% (p\<0.001), but the increase was significantly larger in the training group compared with the control group (p=0.044). No other significant between-group strength-differences in IHAD, IHAB or the IHAD/IHAB ratio existed (p\>0.05). Conclusions 8 weeks of hip-adduction strength training, using elastic bands, induce a relevant increase in eccentric hip-adduction strength in soccer players, and thus may have implications as a promising approach towards prevention of groin injuries in soccer.}, issn = {0306-3674}, URL = {https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/4/332}, eprint = {https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/4/332.full.pdf}, journal = {British Journal of Sports Medicine} }