How Different Positions Affect Groin Strengthening Exercises

The Copenhagen adductor exercise (CAE) is a popular way to strengthen groin muscles. But did you know it also works muscles in other directions? The hip adductor muscles don't just work side to side. They also work front to back and rotate. So, doing the CAE likely challenges the hip and knee in three different ways. A recent study looked at how different positions affect the hip and knee during the CAE. They tested three positions: supporting the knee, the ankle, or the middle of the leg. They measured the forces and movements to see how the joints reacted. The results showed that supporting the ankle created the most strain on the hip adductors. Supporting the knee created the least. Interestingly, most people also used their hip extensors, and this was more pronounced when the support was further down the leg. The knee also felt the effects. Supporting the leg below the knee led to adductor and flexor movements in the knee. The study also found strong connections between the front-to-back movements and the rotation of the thigh and shank. In short, the CAE isn't just a side-to-side exercise. It also involves front-to-back and rotational movements, especially when the support is placed lower on the leg.