scholarly journals Ultrasound Imaging of the Abdominal Wall and Trunk Muscles in Patients with Achilles Tendinopathy versus Healthy Participants

Diagnostics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Romero-Morales ◽  
Pedro Martín-Llantino ◽  
César Calvo-Lobo ◽  
Marta San-Antolín ◽  
Daniel López-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique ◽  
Healthy Participants

Purpose: To compare and quantify with ultrasound imaging (USI) the inter-recti distance (IRD), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrAb), and multifidus thickness and the RA and multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) between individuals with and without chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Methods: A cross-sectional study. A sample of 143 patients were recruited and divided into two groups: A group comprised of chronic mid-portion AT (n = 71) and B group composed of healthy subjects (n = 72). The IRD, RA, EO, IO, TrAb, and multifidus thickness, as well as RA and multifidus CSA, were measured by USI. Results: USI measurements for the EO (p = 0.001), IO (p = 0.001), TrAb (p = 0.041) and RA (p = 0.001) thickness were decreased as well as IRD (p = 0.001) and multifidus thickness (p = 0.001) and CSA (p = 0.001) were increased for the tendinopathy group with respect the healthy group. Linear regression prediction models (R2 = 0.260 − 0.494; p < 0.05) for the IRD, RA, EO, and IO thickness (R2 = 0.494), as well as multifidus CSA and thickness were determined by weight, height, BMI and AT presence. Conclusions: EO, IO, TrAb, and RA thickness was reduced and IRD, multifidus thickness and CSA were increased in patients with AT.

scholarly journals How Do the Abdominal Muscles Change during Hypopressive Exercise?

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 702
Author(s):  
Iria Da Cuña-Carrera ◽  
Alejandra Alonso-Calvete ◽  
Mercedes Soto-González ◽  
Eva M. Lantarón-Caeiro
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Standing Position ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Objective Prior ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

Background and objective: Prior studies have reported an activation of abdominal muscles during hypopressive exercises in women with pelvic floor disfunction. However, no previous research analyzed the effects of hypopressive exercise on abdominal muscles in healthy populations to understand the normal biomechanics of this area. The aim of this study was to examine the thickness of abdominal muscles at rest and during hypopressive exercise in supine and standing positions with ultrasound imaging in healthy adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 99 healthy university students. The thickness of the abdominal muscles at rest and during hypopressive exercise was assessed with ultrasound imaging in supine and standing positions. Results: During hypopressive exercise, there was a significant increase in the muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (p < 0.001) and internal oblique (p < 0.001) in supine and standing positions. External oblique only increased its thickness significantly in the standing position (p < 0.001) and rectus abdominis did not change during the hypopressive exercise in any position (p > 0.05). In conclusion, hypopressive exercises seem to increase the thickness of the deepest and most stabilized muscles such as transversus abdominis and internal oblique. Conclusion: These findings should be considered for future interventions with hypopressive exercises in healthy subjects.

scholarly journals Muscle Imbalance Among Elite Australian Rules Football Players: A Longitudinal Study of Changes in Trunk Muscle Size

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Hides ◽  
Warren Stanton
Keyword(s):  
Total Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football

Context: Trunk muscles, such as the transversus abdominis (TrA) and multifidus, play a key role in lumbopelvic stability, which is important in athletic performance. Asymmetry or imbalance in these and other trunk muscles could result from the specific requirements of the game of Australian rules football. Objective: To determine whether seasonal variations in the sizes of key trunk muscles associated with lumbopelvic stability occur in Australian Football League players. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hospital. Patients or Other Participants: The number of players eligible to participate at each of the 4 time points was 36 at the start of preseason 1 (T1), 31 at end of season 1 (T2), 43 at the end of preseason 2 (T3), and 41 at the start of preseason 3 (T4). The group with data at all 4 time points (n  =  20) was used in the analyses and was shown to be representative of the total sample. Intervention(s): Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the multifidus (vertebral levels L2 to L5) and lumbar erector spinae (LES) muscles (L3), as well as the thickness of the TrA and internal oblique (IO) muscles at L3. Main Outcome Measure(s): Cross-sectional areas of the multifidus and LES muscles and thickness of the TrA and IO muscles. Results: By the end of the playing season, results showed 11.1% atrophy for multifidus CSA at L3 and 21% atrophy for TrA thickness at rest. In comparison, the CSA of the LES muscles increased by 3.6%, and the thickness of the IO muscle increased by 11.8% compared with the start of the preseason. Conclusions: The results indicated an imbalance of the key muscles associated with lumbopelvic stability.

Changes in expiratory muscle function following spinal cord section

2007 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 1422-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof E. Kowalski ◽  
Jaroslaw R. Romaniuk ◽  
Anthony F. DiMarco
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Generating Capacity ◽  
Expiratory Muscles ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

Following spinal cord injury, muscles below the level of injury develop variable degrees of disuse atrophy. The present study assessed the physiological changes of the expiratory muscles in a cat model of spinal cord injury. Muscle fiber typing, cross-sectional area, muscle weight, and changes in pressure-generating capacity were assessed in five cats spinalized at the T6 level. Airway pressure (P)-generating capacity was monitored during lower thoracic spinal cord stimulation before and 6 mo after spinalization. These parameters were also assessed in five acute animals, which served as controls. In spinalized animals, P fell from 41 ± l to 28 ± 3 cmH2O (means ± SE; P < 0.001). Muscle weight of the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and internal intercostal muscles decreased significantly ( P < 0.05 for each). Muscle weight of the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and internal intercostal, but not rectus abdominis (RA), correlated linearly with P ( r > 0.7 for each; P < 0.05 for each). Mean muscle fiber cross-sectional area of these muscles was significantly smaller ( P < 0.05 for each; except RA) and also correlated linearly with P ( r > 0.55 for each; P < 0.05 for each, except RA). In spinalized animals, the expiratory muscles demonstrated a significant increase in the population of fast muscle fibers. These results indicate that, following spinalization, 1) the expiratory muscles undergo significant atrophy and fiber-type transformation and 2) the P-generating capacity of the expiratory muscles falls significantly secondary to reductions in muscle mass.

scholarly journals Ultrasound Imaging of Crural Fascia and Epimysial Fascia Thicknesses in Basketball Players with Previous Ankle Sprains Versus Healthy Subjects

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Carmelo Pirri ◽  
Caterina Fede ◽  
Antonio Stecco ◽  
Diego Guidolin ◽  
Chenglei Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Posterior Compartment ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Anterior Compartment ◽  
Crural Fascia ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Participants

Background: Fascial layers may play an important role in locomotor mechanics. Recent researches have revealed an association between increases of fascia thickness and reduced joint flexibility in patients with chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare, through the use of ultrasound imaging, the thickness of the deep/crural fascia in different points of the leg as well as the epimysial fascia thickness at level 2 of anterior compartment of leg, in male basketball players with history of recurrent ankle sprain and in healthy participants. Methods: A cross-sectional study has been performed using ultrasound imaging to measure deep/crural fascia thickness of anterior, lateral and posterior compartment of the leg at different levels with a new protocol in a sample of 30 subjects, 15 basketball players and 15 healthy participants. Results: Findings of fascial thickness revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in epimysial fascia thickness and in deep/crural fascia thickness between levels/compartments of the same group and between two groups. Moreover, Post 3 deep/crural fascia thicknesses (p < 0.001) were decreased showing statistically significant difference for the basketball players group respect the healthy participants group. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the posterior compartment was thicker than anterior compartment, probably due to a postural reason in both groups. Moreover, they showed an increase of thickness of the epimysial fascia in basketball players with previous ankle sprains. This variability underlines the importance to assess the fasciae and to make results comparable.

The effects of curl-up exercise in terms of posture and muscle contraction direction on muscle activity and thickness of trunk muscles

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-863
Author(s):  
Sun-Young Ha ◽  
DooChul Shin
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Effective Angle ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

BACKGROUND: The curl-up exercise is widely used in clinical practice for strengthening abdominal muscles, but has been applied without a systematic method. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective method considering the angle and muscle contraction direction during the curl-up exercise. METHODS: Fourteen healthy males performed the curl-up exercise according to contraction direction (concentric and eccentric) and angle (30∘, 60∘, and 90∘). The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and iliopsoas (IP) was measured using electromyography (EMG), and the muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (TrA) was measured using ultrasonography. RESULTS: The activities of the abdominal muscles (RA, EO, and IO) decreased with increasing angles (30∘, 60∘, and 90∘) (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference between eccentric and concentric contractions. The thickness ratio of TrA was the largest at an eccentric curl-up at 30∘, and the smallest at a concentric curl-up at 30∘ (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The most effective angle for curl-up was 30∘. Although there is no difference in the direction of muscle contraction, eccentric curl-up at 30∘ could be considered the most effective posture for abdominal strengthening considering the importance of TrA.

scholarly journals Electromyographic analysis of transversus abdominis/internal oblique muscles during the execution of pelvic patterns of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josepha Karinne de Oliveira Ferro ◽  
José Vicente Pereira Martins ◽  
Bruna Rhayane da Cunha Melo Ribeiro ◽  
Thaís de Siqueira Manta ◽  
Andrea Lemos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Root Mean Square Amplitude ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Central Value ◽  
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation ◽  
Muscle Complex ◽  
Electromyographic Analysis ◽  
The Right ◽  
Internal Oblique

Objective: To evaluate the electromyographic response of the transversus abdominis/internal oblique muscles (TrA/IO) during the execution of the four pelvic patterns of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Methods: Cross-sectional study. Were evaluated 21 women aged 18-38 years. The right TrA/IO complex, ipsilateral to the execution of a PNF combination of isotonics technique was monitored by surface electromyography. Three repetitions were performed with two-minute intervals between them in the four PNF pelvic patterns: anterior elevation, posterior depression, anterior depression, and posterior elevation. For the analysis of the electromyographic signal, a period of 500ms adjusted to the central value was extracted and the Root Mean Square amplitude was analyzed. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA test was used with a 95% confidence interval. Results: There was a higher TrA/IO activity in the concentric phase in the anterior elevation pattern (36.2 ± 32.3%) when compared to previous depression (19.5 μV ± 12.9), posterior elevation (16.1 μV ± 8.7), posterior depression 14.6μV ± 5.9). In addition, in the antero-elevation there is greater activation of the TrA/IO muscle complex when compared to the other patterns (p <0.01). Conclusion: The higher EMG response of the TrA/IO found in the anterior elevation pattern reveals its usefulness for clinical use.

scholarly journals Ultrasound Assessment of the Abdominal Wall Muscles in Women with and without Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Romero-Morales ◽  
Mónica de la Cueva-Reguera ◽  
Beatriz Miñambres-Vallejo ◽  
Beatriz Ruiz-Ruiz ◽  
César Calvo-Lobo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gynecological Disorders

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the most common gynecological disorders in women of reproductive age that may affect quality of life. It is believed that the underlying cause of PD may be the excessive production of prostaglandins (PGs), however, between 20%–25% of women with PD did not respond to pharmacological treatments, showing that nociceptive mechanisms underlying PD are still not understood. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare, through the use of ultrasound imaging, the thickness at rest of the abdominal wall, as well as the interrecti distance (IRD), in women with and without PD. Methods: A cross-sectional study has been performed using ultrasound imaging (USI) to measure the resting thickness of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrAb), rectus abdominis (RA), as well as the IRD in a sample of 39 women, 19 with PD and 20 without PD (median ± IR age: 20 ± 4 and 22.5 ± 7 years, respectively). Results: Findings of muscular thickness did not reveal statically significant differences (p < 0.05) in EO, IO, TrAb, RA, and the IRD between the PD group and control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the thickness of the abdominal wall is not associated with PD.

scholarly journals Low back pain in physiotherapy students: Prevalence and the association with neuromuscular findings

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Burger ◽  
H. Myezwa ◽  
V. Naidoo ◽  
B. Olivier ◽  
A. Rothberg
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Optimal Function ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Physiotherapy Students

Background: Physiotherapy students are prone to low back pain (LBP) due to studying and their active involvement in clinical treatment of patients. As a result of pathology, muscle activity is influenced, affecting optimal function of the spine. Method: Physiotherapy students enrolled for 2010 at the University of the Witwatersrand participated in a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire and physical assessment were completed. Results: The study revealed that the lifetime LBP prevalence was 36% among physiotherapy students. Associations with LBP were hours of practical exposure, posterior-anterior mobilisations on L4 (p=0.003) and L5 (p≤0.001) centrally and unilaterally, left lumbar multifidus (LM) cross-sectional area (p=0.02), right obliquus internusabdominis (OI) (p=0.02) and right transversus abdominis (TrA) thickness at rest (p=0.02), as well as the pull of the TrA during contraction on the left (p=0.03). Discussion: Hours of practical exposure may play a role in lumbar pathology. Due to pathology, muscle imbalances of LM, TrA and OI affect the stability of the spine which may lead to recurrences. Conclusion: Practical exposure as well as LM, TrA and OI muscle imbalances were associated with LBP in physiotherapy students. Awareness of the factors associated with LBP while studying at an undergraduate level may lead to better prevention of LBP.

scholarly journals Effect of real-time ultrasound imaging for biofeedback on trunk muscle contraction in healthy subjects: a preliminary study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Lin ◽  
Bo Zhu ◽  
Yiyi Zheng ◽  
Guozhi Huang ◽  
Qing Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Biofeedback ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) has been increasingly used as a form of biofeedback when instructing and re-training muscle contraction. However, the effectiveness of the RUSI on a single sustained contraction of the lumbar multifidus (LM) and transversus abdominis (TrA) has rarely been reported. This preliminary study aimed to determine if the use of RUSI, as visual biofeedback, could enhance the ability of activation and continuous contraction of the trunk muscles including LM and TrA.Methods: Forty healthy individuals were included and randomly assigned into the experimental group and control group. All subjects performed a preferential activation of the LM and/or TrA (maintained the constraction of LM and/or TrA for 30 seconds and then relaxed for two minutes), while those in the experimental group also received visual feedback provided by RUSI. The thickness of LM and/or TrA at rest and during contraction (Tc-max, T15s, and T30s) were extracted and recorded. The experiment was repeated three times.Results: No significant differences were found in the thickness of LM at rest (P > 0.999), Tc-max (P > 0.999), and T15s (P = 0.414) between the two groups. However, the ability to recruit LM muscle contraction differed between groups at T30s (P = 0.006), with subjects in the experimental group that received visual ultrasound biofeedback maintaining a relative maximum contraction. Besides, no significant differences were found in the TrA muscle thickness at rest (P > 0.999) and Tc-max (P > 0.999) between the two groups. However, significant differences of contraction thickness were found at T15s (P = 0.031) and T30s (P = 0.010) between the two groups during the Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver (ADIM), with greater TrA muscle contraction thickness in the experimental group.Conclusions: RUSI can be used to provide visual biofeedback, which can promote continuous contraction, and improve the ability to activate the LM and TrA muscles in healthy subjects.

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