Isometric Abdominal and Specific Gluteus Medius Work in Soccer Players

Isometric Abdominal and Specific Gluteus Medius Work in Soccer Players. A Randomized Pilot Study

The problems of lack of lumbo-pelvic stability, as well as weakness or mobile restriction of the adductor muscles, may be the origin of lower limb injuries. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are key in the probability of suffering an imbalance. A protocol of abdominal isometric strength, accompanied by specific exercises of the gluteus medius, can be useful in order to prevent such dysfunctions.

The objective is to compare the efficacy of abdominal isometric work against the specific work of gluteus medius in the improvement of lumbo-pelvic stability and strength and elasticity of the adductor muscles.

Study design. Randomized, longitudinal, experimental, prospective, multicentre and single-blind clinical trial. It will take place at the facilities of the Soccer Club Fuenlabrada S. A. D. and the European University of Madrid.

The subjects will be randomly divided into two groups: control group and experimental group. The intervention period will last eight weeks, performing 2 weekly sessions, of approximately 20 minutes (depending on the group to which each subject belongs). The variables to be evaluated before and after the intervention will be the lumbo-pelvic stability and the strength and elasticity of the adductor muscles. For the statistical analysis, the SPSS program version 19.0 will be used.

It is expected to find how gluteal work produces improvements in lumbo-pelvic stability, as well as an increase in strength and adduction elasticity.

Each session will last 20 minutes, taking place during 2 days a week, in a period of 8 weeks. The intervention will be carried out at the beginning of the training session. This intervention consists of an abdominal work protocol, and a gluteal work protocol added to the previous protocol, performed by the control group and the experimental group, respectively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 35 years
• Federated in the Royal Football Federation of Madrid currently and with a minimum of 4 years
• Without any previous pathology or during the experimental period
• Signed the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not have current or previous pathology in any region of the lower limb during the last 6 months
• Inability or inability to comply with the demands of the study in terms of follow-up or problems of involvement
• Players under pharmacological treatment or exercising a physiotherapy treatment parallel to the development of the study