What Exactly Is an Acute Groin Injury? by Bill Kelly APA Physiotherapist

An acute groin injury typically involves a sudden strain or tear in the adductor muscles—a group of muscles on the inside of your thigh. These muscles help stabilise your pelvis and pull your legs toward the midline (think kicking, cutting, or closing down space on defence).

In pitch sports, the adductor longus is most commonly affected. This muscle takes a big load during sprinting, side-stepping, tackling, and especially during kicking motions. Overload it, and it can strain or tear—usually at the musculotendinous junction near the groin.

How Does It Happen?

Groin injuries on the pitch usually happen during high-intensity efforts. Common culprits include:

  • Rapid changes in direction (think cutting to beat a defender)

  • Overstretching during tackles or lunges

  • Forceful kicking or crossing

  • Fatigue during the later stages of a match

  • Inadequate warm-up or lack of adductor strength

If you've ever felt a sharp pain mid-sprint or during a stretch and had to pull up suddenly, you know the feeling.

Symptoms: What to Look Out For

  • Sudden pain or ‘twinge’ in the groin or inner thigh

  • Tenderness along the adductors

  • Pain with kicking, sprinting, or lateral movement

  • Bruising or swelling (in more severe cases)

  • Difficulty accelerating or changing direction

Sometimes the pain is immediate and severe, other times it creeps up over a few minutes or the next day. Either way—if it’s affecting your movement, don’t ignore it.

Why Early Physio Matters

In pitch sports, groin injuries are notorious for becoming chronic if not managed early and properly. A comprehensive physio assessment will look beyond just the site of pain—examining biomechanics, strength imbalances, and how your hips and core are functioning.

We also rule out other potential causes of groin pain—like sports hernias or hip impingement.

Rehab That Works—And Keeps You on the Pitch

Our approach focuses on a structured, progressive return-to-play pathway. Here's a typical breakdown:

Phase 1: Protect & Activate (0–7 Days)

  • Relative rest (not total rest!)

  • Ice for swelling and pain

  • Pain-free isometric adductor holds

  • Light mobility work to prevent stiffness

Phase 2: Load & Restore (1–3 Weeks)

  • Progressive adductor loading (both concentric and eccentric)

  • Core and hip stability training

  • Soft tissue release/manual therapy if needed

  • Bike or pool work to maintain conditioning

Phase 3: Build Strength & Function (3–5 Weeks)

  • Field-based drills: lateral shuffles, deceleration, change of direction

  • Running mechanics and acceleration drills

  • High-speed strength work: Copenhagen planks, resisted kicks

  • Ball work as tolerated

Phase 4: Return to Performance (5+ Weeks)

  • Sport-specific scenarios: sprints, tackles, passes, kicks

  • Agility, plyometrics, and fatigue-resistance

  • Gradual reintegration to full training

Prevention: Your Best Defence

Once you’ve had a groin injury, your risk of re-injury skyrockets—unless you address the root cause. Here’s how pitch athletes can stay groin-strong:

  • Include adductor strength work (especially eccentric)

  • Train your core and hip stability—glutes and deep abdominals matter

  • Don’t skip warm-ups, especially before matches

  • Monitor training loads—avoid big spikes

  • Treat groin tightness or discomfort early, not after it becomes an issue

Final Whistle

Groin injuries don’t have to sideline your season. With early intervention, targeted rehab, and a smart return-to-play plan, you can come back faster—and reduce your risk of future issues.

If you're dealing with groin pain or want to bulletproof your body against injury, our physio team is ready to help. We know pitch sports. We know groins. Let’s get you back on the field—moving sharp, kicking clean, and playing without fear.

Book in with our sports physio team today—your groin will thank you.

References

  • British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM). Serner, A. et al. (2019). High adductor muscle activity in the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise. 
    DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098871 

Stuart McKayComment