A magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the transversus abdominis muscle during drawing-in of the abdominal wall in elite Australian Football League players with and without low back pain

Hides, Julie A., Boughen, Carly L., Stanton, Warren R., Strudwick, Mark W. and Wilson, Stephen J. (2010) A magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the transversus abdominis muscle during drawing-in of the abdominal wall in elite Australian Football League players with and without low back pain. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 40 1: 4-10.


Author Hides, Julie A.
Boughen, Carly L.
Stanton, Warren R.
Strudwick, Mark W.
Wilson, Stephen J.
Title A magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the transversus abdominis muscle during drawing-in of the abdominal wall in elite Australian Football League players with and without low back pain
Journal name Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank B)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2010-01
Sub-type Article
Year available 2009
DOI 10.2519/jospt.2010.3177
Volume number 40
Issue number 1
ISSN 0190-6011; 1938-1344
Start page 4
End page 10
Total pages 7
Editor Guy G. Simoneau
Place of publication Alexandria, VA, United States of America
Publisher American Physical Therapy Association, Orthopedic Section
Collection year 2010
Language eng
Subject C1
Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Single-blinded quasi-experimental study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of elite football players with and without low back pain (LBP) to voluntarily draw-in the abdominal wall. BACKGROUND: While there has been considerable debate regarding the contribution of the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle to control the lumbar spine and pelvis, there is evidence that retraining motor control of the deep trunk muscles is commensurate with decreases in LBP. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to assess the TrA muscle during the draw-in maneuver, with the contraction of the TrA muscle reducing the circumference of the trunk. Impairments in performance of the draw-in maneuver have been shown in people with LBP. METHODS: Forty-three elite players from a team in the Australian Football League were allocated to 3 groups: those with "no LBP," "a history of LBP but no current LBP," or "current LBP." MRI was used to image the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the trunk at the level of the L3-4 disc at the start and end of the draw-in maneuver. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the CSA of the trunk with the performance of the draw-in maneuver (P<.001). Subjects in the "no LBP" group were better able to "draw-in" the abdominal wall than subjects with current LBP (P = .015). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of an altered ability to draw-in the abdominal wall in footballers with current LBP. Retraining contraction of the TrA muscle may constitute one part of an exercise-therapy approach for athletes with current LBP.
Keyword Abdomen
Lumbar spine
MRI
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

 
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Created: Sun, 31 Jan 2010, 00:02:50 EST