Prevalence of Adductor Muscles Strength and Hip Joint Mobility on Groin Pain in Male Sports Runners

Abstract

Background: Groin pain is a frequent, clinically complex complaint in runners and may be associated with impaired hip adductor function and activity limitation despite continued participation. Objective: To determine the prevalence profile of adductor muscle strength impairment, adductor-related pain provocation, and hip/groin-related functional restriction in male recreational runners with groin pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 150 male recreational runners in Lahore using convenience sampling. Demographics and weekly running exposure were recorded. Pain during activity and running participation effects were assessed using standardized symptom and participation instruments alongside numeric pain grading. Clinical profiling included manual muscle testing-based adductor strength grading, adductor squeeze test pain provocation, and side-to-side examination comparison. Descriptive statistics were reported as means ± SD and frequencies with prevalence estimates. Results: Mean age was 24.55 ± 3.32 years and weekly running distance was 13.49 ± 1.95 km. Pain during running was reported by 94.0% of participants. Pain intensity during activity was mild in 42.7%, moderate in 54.7%, and severe in 2.7%. Adductor strength was predominantly grade 3 (76.7%), with grade 5 observed in 2.0%. Adductor squeeze test provoked pain in 94.7% (mild 77.3%; moderate 16.0%; severe 1.3%). Performance was affected in 96.0% and training was affected in 96.0% (mostly mild-to-moderate). Conclusion: Male recreational runners demonstrated a high prevalence of groin pain with frequent adductor-related pain provocation, predominantly submaximal adductor strength grading, marked side-to-side asymmetry, and meaningful participation restriction.