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Normative adductor squeeze test values in elite junior rugby union players
Garrett F Coughlan1, Eamonn Delahunt, Brian M Caulfield
1*Medical Department, Irish Rugby Football Union, Dublin, Ireland; †School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; ‡Institute for Sport and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; §School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; and ¶USA Rugby, Denver, Colorado.
Objective:
To establish normative adductor squeeze test (AST) values in elite junior rugby union players and investigate if differences existed between field position units and categorizations.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
National underage screening camp.
Participants:
One hundred four healthy players attending an under-19 and under-18 national musculoskeletal and fitness screening camp. Players had no history of surgery, no self-reported history of groin or pelvic pain in either limb and no other lower limb injury in the past 3 months, and no pain reported during the testing procedure.
Main Outcome Measures:
The AST in 3 positions of hip flexion (0, 45, and 90 degrees), position unit, and categorizations.
Results:
The highest AST values were observed at 45 degrees of hip flexion in all field position categories. No differences were observed between position units and categorizations.
Conclusions:
Normative AST values in an elite junior rugby union population were established in this investigation. Clinically, the sports medicine professional may use these results in making decisions on the management of both symptomatic and asymptomatic players.
