Fatigue-Induced Changes in Knee Moments During Repeated Changes of Direction in Soccer Players With and Without Recent Groin Injury

Paper ID : 1596-SPORTCONGRESS

Authors

Reza Mansourizadeh1, Hooman Minoonejad *2, Reza Rajabi2, Seyed Hamed Mousavi2 1ندارم 2دانشگاه تهران

Abstract

Introduction: Groin injuries are common in sports involving frequent changes of direction (CoD), such as soccer. Many athletes continue training or competing despite groin pain, which may alter neuromuscular control and movement patterns. Previous studies have reported biomechanical alterations in athletes with groin injuries. Fatigue is another factor that can impair neuromuscular function and increase lower-limb injury risk, particularly during CoD tasks. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fatigue on knee abduction and internal rotation moments in soccer players with and without a history of groin injury. Methods: Forty professional male soccer players from Tehran (mean age: 24.5 ± 3.2 years) were divided into two groups: groin-injured (GI, n=20) and non-injured (NGI, n=20). Participants performed repeated 180° CoD maneuvers within a 5-meter area at 70% of maximum aerobic speed. Knee abduction and internal rotation moments were calculated using inverse dynamics from data collected with a 10-camera motion capture system and an force plate. A mixed ANOVA (group × fatigue) was conducted with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results: No significant between-group differences were observed in pre-fatigue knee abduction or internal rotation moments (p > 0.05). Post-fatigue, both moments increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.05); however, the GI group showed significantly greater increases in abduction moment (1.23 ± 0.24 to 1.68 ± 0.24 Nm/kg) and internal rotation moment (0.31 ± 0.08 to 0.44 ± 0.11 Nm/kg) compared to the NGI group (p < 0.05). Repeated-measures analysis confirmed a significant main effect of fatigue and a significant group × fatigue interaction. Conclusion: Fatigue induced greater increases in knee abduction and internal rotation moments in players with a history of groin injury. These findings suggest that fatigue may heighten lower-limb injury risk in this population, underscoring the importance of fatigue management and targeted injury prevention strategies.

Keywords

Groin injury, Change of direction, Fatigue

Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation)