This exercise focuses on the adductor muscles, a group located on the inner thigh and groin area. These muscles play a crucial role in stabilizing the pelvis and controlling leg alignment in movements where one leg bears weight. According to physical therapist Kiana Cowger in Canadian Running Magazine, if the adductor muscles cannot maintain activity during the Copenhagen plank, they will struggle to meet the demands of actual running sessions.

During physical activity, weak adductor muscles force the body to recruit other muscle groups to compensate. This compensation can alter the kinetic chain, increasing stress on the hips, groin area, or placing pressure on the knees, thereby setting the stage for overuse injuries.

When performing the Copenhagen plank, runners should hold the position for 20-30 seconds per side. If the hips drop prematurely, the torso shakes excessively, or it is difficult to maintain stable alignment, these are often signs that hip control and load-bearing capacity are diminishing.

Runners can use this exercise as a functional test when they begin to feel discomfort in the hip or groin area, or before entering a high-load training phase for the VnExpress Marathon All-Star 2026, which takes place on 8/2. As the first and only standard-qualifying marathon in Vietnam, the race targets serious, disciplined runners aiming for personal bests, requiring comprehensive physical fitness and effective injury prevention.

Hai Long (according to Canadian Running Magazine)