Table 1 PICO Format

Population

Athletes complaining of groin pain

Athlete: an individual who regularly participates (i.e. trains and competes) in an athletic activity as part of their exercise routine

Groin Pain: pain arising from the anterior groin region around the pubis and inguinal ligament, adductor region and lower abdominal musculature

Intervention

Exercise Therapy

Comparison

Other forms of conservative or surgical management

Outcomes

Subjective e.g. Pain scores Objective e.g. Adductor muscle length and strength tests Functional outcome e.g. Return to sports