Prevent Injuries to the Inner Thigh Muscles

Edited by Dr. Dario Mirra

Introduction

Every sport has particular needs from a technical, coordinative and conditional point of view, hence, as a direct consequence even injuries are statistically peculiar to every sporting activity.

What I will deal with in this article is a reflection, a simple opinion to prevent injuries to the muscles of the inner thigh, a disabling discomfort typical of sports activities that require movements with sudden changes of direction and speed (for example Rugby), lateral movements. (Tennis) and more activities in which these muscles are in constant tension (Horse riding).

Anatomy of the inner thigh region

Listed below are the muscles of the internal region of the thigh with adductor function, they are numerous and in their entirety very powerful:

1. Great adductor
2. Middle adductor
3. Small adductor
4. Hamstring muscles: hamstring, semimembranous, semitendinosus, although they are powerful knee flexor and hip extensor muscles, their adductor function must not be neglected
5. Gluteus maximus - is adductor almost in its entirety
6. Square of the femur
7. Pettineo
8. External obturator, assisted by the twin muscles

Thinking about most of these muscles, and hearing about their role as adductors, it is thought that their only peculiarity is to bring the thigh closer to the sagittal line of the body.

These muscles, on the other hand, also play a role in the flexion-extension of the hip, which depends on the location of their upper insertion.
When the insertion is behind the frontal plane, these muscles are not only adductors but also extensors.
When the insertion passes anteriorly to the frontal plane these muscles are also flexors.

Hence, the role of these muscles can be summarized in:

1. Adductors.
2. Flexors.
3. Extenders.
4. Pelvis stabilizers.

Schematic of the work of the 5 main adductors, we see as follows:

1. Great adductor.
2. Long adductor.
3. Gracile

Both the adductor and extension functions of the hip play a role.

We then have:

1. Pettineo.
2. Small adductor.

These muscles are hip adductors and flexors.

Reflection

Most athletes and gym users, in general, work the adductor muscles at the Multi hip or the Adductor machine, thus training only the ability to bring the thigh closer to the sagittal plane, thus neglecting the accessory components of these muscles. .
It is common knowledge that muscle imbalance is the basis of non-traumatic injuries, as there is no optimization of the forces arriving on the structures, therefore, it is easy to understand how the onset of contractures, tears, groin pains, is also due to the fact to neglect all the biomechanical possibilities of this complex muscular system.

Conclusions

The above is my point of view on the etiology of some injuries and the various resentments that can be accused of the inner thigh muscles, matured from my experience.
This article only purports to be a small starting point, a simple point of view and point of reflection for coaches, physical trainers, therapists and athletes, who in the presence of such discomfort can try to create a balance in this musculature, training this adductor structure with all its possibilities of movement, in order to ensure an "optimization of the strength between the different muscles, and therefore of the structures on which they are inserted.

Bibliography

Audouard M .: Osteopathy - the lower limb, Publisher Marrapese 1989.
Busquet L.: The groin pain. Marrapese Editore 1984.
Kapandji I.A .: Joint Physiology. Lower limb. Monduzzi Editore 2007.
Weineck J.: Sports Anatomy. Mariucci socks 2003.