ABSTRACT

Background: Groin pain is a common issue among football players and often affects their training load, match performance, and overall participation. Factors such as reduced eccentric adductor strength, muscle imbalance, and limited hip mobility contribute to the development of groin injuries. The Copenhagen Adduction (CA) exercise is frequently used to improve eccentric strength, while Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is applied to reduce tightness, correct imbalance, and improve hip mobility. Although both methods are used in clinical practice, direct comparisons between them are limited.
Aim: To review the available evidence on the effectiveness of Copenhagen exercises and Muscle Energy Technique in improving adductor strength, hip function, and groin pain in football players, and to highlight the need for comparative research.
Search Method and Selection Criteria: A structured literature search was conducted through PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate. Search terms included groin pain, football players, adductor strengthening, Copenhagen exercise, eccentric training, and muscle energy technique. Studies were included if they involved football or athletic populations, used CA or MET as an intervention, assessed hip adductor strength or groin symptoms, and were published in English. Studies involving surgical interventions or unrelated to adductor rehabilitation were excluded.
Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Copenhagen Adduction exercises and Muscle Energy Technique in enhancing hip adductor strength, alleviating groin pain, and improving overall hip function in football players. It also intends to assess the individual impact of these interventions on eccentric muscle strength, hip range of motion, flexibility, and functional activities such as kicking and sports participation, in order to identify which approach offers superior clinical outcomes in managing groin-related symptoms.
Results: Studies show that the Copenhagen exercise is effective in improving eccentric adductor strength and reducing the risk of groin injury. MET has shown good results in improving range of motion, muscle flexibility, and functional performance such as kicking. Both techniques contribute to better hip function, but very few studies compare their effect directly in individuals with groin pain. Current evidence supports their individual effectiveness, but comparative findings remain insufficient.
Conclusion: Both Copenhagen exercises and MET demonstrate beneficial effects in the management of groin pain and improvement of hip adductor strength. Despite this, there is limited research directly comparing the two approaches. A comparative study will help determine which intervention produces greater improvement in football players with groin-related symptoms.

KEYWORDS

Groin pain, Football players, Copenhagen exercise, Muscle Energy Technique (MET),Sports Injury Prevention, Adductor strain. 

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Cite this article

Reddy, G. S. K., Sedhunivas, R., & Nikhilesh, A. (2026). A Literature Review on A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Copenhagen and Muscle Energy Techniques in Increasing Adductor Muscle Strength in Football Players with Groin Pain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH, 5(5), 365-371. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijhmr.2026.v5i5n04