Assessment of abdominal muscle function during a simulated unilateral weight-bearing task using ultrasound imaging

Hides, JA, Wong, I, Wilson, SJ, Belavy, DL and Richardson, CA (2007) Assessment of abdominal muscle function during a simulated unilateral weight-bearing task using ultrasound imaging. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 37 8: 467-471.


Author Hides, JA
Wong, I
Wilson, SJ
Belavy, DL
Richardson, CA
Title Assessment of abdominal muscle function during a simulated unilateral weight-bearing task using ultrasound imaging
Journal name Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank B)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2007-08
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.2519/jospt.2007.2417
Volume number 37
Issue number 8
ISSN 0190-6011
Start page 467
End page 471
Total pages 5
Place of publication Alexandria, USA
Publisher JOSPT
Language eng
Subject 110321 Rehabilitation and Therapy (excl. Physiotherapy)
1103 Clinical Sciences
Formatted abstract Study design:
Cross-sectional study.

Objective:
To investigate the function of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (10) muscles bilaterally during a simulated weight-bearing task using ultrasound imaging.

Background:
An important aspect of neuromuscular control at the lumbopelvic region is stabilization. Biomechanical models have predicted that activation of transversely oriented muscles, such as the TrA and 10 muscles, can stiffen the sacroiliac joints and actively stabilize the pelvis for weight bearing.

Methods and measures:
Nineteen healthy subjects were positioned in supine lying with their right heel against a footplate linked to a force transducer. Each subject performed a static simulated weight-bearing task of the right lower extremity. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess resultant changes in thickness of the 10 and TrA muscles, as well as the lateral slide of the anterior abdominal fascia on each side of the abdomen alternately. Muscle thickness and slide of the fascia were assessed at standardized force levels (0% and 25% of body weight).

Results:
Substantial increases (P<.0001) in mean (+/-SD) thickness of the 10 (18.5% +/- 9.7%) and TrA (24.7% +/- 175%) muscles during the weight-bearing task were measured. Lateral movement (slide) of the anterior abdominal fascia of the TrA muscle also occurred (mean +/- SD, 1.3 +/- 2.0 mm; P = .014) with weight bearing. Changes in muscle thickness and amount of slide were similar for the left and right side of the abdomen (P >= .11).

Conclusion:
The findings are consistent with biomechanical models that predicted symmetrical activation of the deep transversely oriented lumbopelvic muscles in healthy subjects in response to a unilateral functional weight-bearing task. Ultrasound imaging as a measurement tool represents a noninvasive method for measuring abdominal muscle function in functional axial loading.
Keyword Orthopedics
Rehabilitation
Sport Sciences
Internal oblique muscle
lumbar stabilization
Real-time ultrasound imaging
Sonography
Transversus abdominis muscle
Low-back-pain
Transversus Abdominis
Drawing-in
Spine
Contraction
Thickness
Stability
Stiffness
Legs
Load
Q-Index Code C1

 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: TR Web of Science Citation Count  Cited 15 times in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Article | Citations
Scopus Citation Count Cited 20 times in Scopus Article | Citations
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 54 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Mon, 18 Feb 2008, 14:38:58 EST