Introduction

Football is a sport that is associated with continuous increase in intensity and the pelvis and hip joint are exposed to severe biomechanical stresses. Therefore, acute and chronic groin and hip injuries are very common among football players. The groin is a complex anatomical area halfway between the abdomen and the thigh. Groin injuries are common in high-intensity team sports and account for 8–18% of all injuries in football, with a reported rate of 0.8–1.3 groin injuries per 1000 hours of athletic activity. (1)



Problem Statement



Chronic pain is usually defined as pain that persists for more than 12 weeks, while in the sports literature chronic groin pain is often defined as pain that persists for more than 8 weeks. (5) Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of groin pain in elite athletes varies between disciplines, with football having the highest reported rates (approximately 30% or more) (6). Also, in some studies, about 24% of the players surveyed reported a history of groin pain. (7)

Importance of the Study

Groin pain in athletes is a common and complex problem in sports such as football and can be associated with differential diagnoses such as sports hernia, prostatitis, or symphysis pubis injuries(23, 24).

• Independent variables: Presence or absence of chronic groin pain

• Dependent variables: Functional test scores

1. Functional Movement Screening (FMS) scores

2. Landing error scores

3. Balance test scores

4. Hip range of motion