Football Players' Perceptions of Groin Injury Etiology: Implications for Prevention Strategies.

CONTEXT: Although groin injuries are common in football, players' perspectives on their underlying causes have received limited attention. This study aimed to assess football players' perceptions of potential risk and protective factors for these injuries.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHODS

We conducted the study using a questionnaire specifically developed for this research, which underwent content validation by experts and pilot testing. A total of 358 football players (86% male; mean age = 25 [5] y) completed the survey, rating nonmodifiable, modifiable, and protective factors on a 5-point Likert scale. Groin injury history (time loss and nontime loss) from the previous season (2022-2023) was recorded.

RESULTS

In the previous season, 156 players (45%) had nontime-loss groin injuries, and 112 (32%) had time-loss groin injuries. Insufficient hip-adductor strength was the most important modifiable factor (mode = "strongly agree"), followed by insufficient hip mobility, poor sleep hygiene, and fatigue (mode = "agree"). Insufficient time between games was the most important nonmodifiable factor (mode = "agree"), followed by previous groin injury and previous injury (mode = "agree"), and male sex (mode = "indifferent"). Strength training was the most important protective factor (mode = "strongly agree"), followed by having access to a physiotherapist (mode = "agree").

CONCLUSIONS

Footballers positively value strength-based prevention strategies. Observed differences in perceptions of risk and protective factors emphasize the need to educate players and develop tailored, evidence-based prevention programs for implementation before and during the season. Future research should also focus on insufficient recovery between matches and hip-adductor strength training as key elements in groin injury prevention.