Pulled groin muscles from using the leg press machine can be painful and debilitating, preventing you from continuing your strength training routine -- and making all other daily activities difficult. Because of this, it is important to understand what can cause this injury and how you can treat it and prevent it from recurring.
Symptoms
Pulled groin muscles that develop while using the leg press or afterward can vary from mild to severe. Symptoms can include swelling, bruising, pain, muscle spasms, tenderness, redness and warmth. You can also feel or hear a "pop" when injury occurs. Instability or limited or complete loss of mobility can occur when you pull a groin muscle while strength training.
Causes
You can pull the groin muscles while using the leg press if you overuse the muscles with excessive or repetitive weightlifting. This can traumatize the muscles and all of the tendons, ligaments and cartilage to which they are connected or that surround them. You can also sprain or strain the groin muscles if you practice improper form on the leg press or quickly drop or yank weight instead of slowly controlling it.
Treatments
To treat injured groin muscles, immediately stop using the leg press and rest your body. Put a cold or ice pack against the muscles to help reduce pain and swelling. Use pillows to elevate your groin area so that it is higher than your heart. That will help reduce and prevent fluid retention, pain and swelling. Use an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. After about 24 hours, apply a heating pad or warm compress to the injured muscles.
Prevention
Prevent pulled groin muscles by stretching and warming up before using the leg press. For example, jog in place for 10 minutes or do light aerobics. This will help warm up the muscles and make them more pliable and resistant to injury. Ask a professional trainer or doctor how to use the leg press properly. In addition, the Mayo Clinic suggests strengthening the muscles around the groin area, such as the legs and lower back, to minimize your risk of muscle pulls, strains or sprains.
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