Injuring groin muscles, which run from the front of the hip bone to the thigh, can occur in any sport. During volleyball, defensive stances, diving, side stepping and jumping to spike a ball use groin muscles. These movement can strain the muscles, which work to pull your leg across your body. Overuse, overstretching and sudden impacts can tear groin muscle fibers. Talk to your doctor to determine the extent of injury and receive treatment.
Groin Muscles
Your groin muscles are also referred to as the adductor muscles, which pull your leg across the midline of your body. A muscle strain is a muscle fiber tear, which can range from minor to severe – where the entire muscle is torn or ruptured. The groin is comprised of five adductors: the pectineus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, gracilis and adductor magnus. The first three are short adductors, which attach the pelvis to the thigh, while the latter two muscles connect the pelvis to the knee. You use adductors while you walk; they pull the swinging lower leg toward the body’s midline to maintain balance. You also tap these muscles for sprints, jumping and any fast change of direction.
Volleyball Movements
Offensive and defensive players alike utilize the power of the adductors to quickly dive, spring into the air or side step to find a better court position. A common defensive stance is to assume a wide-legged position and bend deep into the knees, shifting your weight from side to side. This movement stretches your adductors. If you spring quickly into a dive, your adductors are subject to a greater than normal force load. Likewise, powerfully pushing off the floor to spike or block a hit can stress your groin area.
Causes of Injury
The most common causes of muscle strains are overuse and not warming up correctly. Overusing a muscle can occur abruptly as well as over time. Adductors are responsible for stabilizing your hip during walking and running, so these muscles are used constantly. While walking, they are subject to vertical impact, front to back, lateral and rotational forces approximately 90 times per minute per leg. Increasing the intensity of your workout can pull an adductor. Likewise, working these muscles without adequate rest weakens the muscle fibers, increasing injury risk. Forgoing a proper warm-up is also a recipe for a groin strain. Getting into a low defensive stance or attempting an all-out dive to save a ball can pull muscles that aren’t ready for action.
Treatment
Treatment for a groin strain typically involves resting the muscles and applying ice packs or cold compresses for the first 24 to 48 hours after injury. Cold packs can help reduce swelling. Your doctor may also recommend anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate pain and inflammation. A physical therapist may suggest certain stretches and exercises to promote range of motion and strength in your leg. A muscle injury can sideline you for one week to a few months. Your recovery depends on the severity of the tear, if surgery was necessary and your adherence to rehabilitation protocol.
