Abstract:The purpose of this study was to perform a longitudinal assessment of body composition of circus student-artists in an elite 3-year college training program. Ninety-two student-artists participated (age = 20.39 ± 2.42 years; height = 170.01 ± 8.01 cm; mass = 66.48 ±
11.07 kg; 36% female and 64% male), representing 92% of the student population. Body composi- tion was assessed using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance at four strategic time points throughout the training year to evaluate changes over the t… Show more
“…Contrary to studies in varsity athletes,(9,11,33) BMI was correlated with LM CSA in our sample. In comparison to previously studied athletes with bigger statures, our sample of circus artists had lower percent body fat and large developed muscles (9,11,33,34,37). Of note, lean body mass was the best predictor of LM CSA in circus athletes.…”
Background
Degenerative structural changes and functional deficits of the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle were observed in athletes with low back pain. While spinal injuries are common in circus artists, there is no information on LM characteristics in this population. The aims of this study were to investigate LM morphology and function and explore the relationship between LM characteristics and low back pain in student circus artists.
Methods
Thirty-one college circus students were recruited. Participants completed an online survey to acquire demographic data and low back pain history. Body composition was measured using multi-frequency bio-impedance analysis. Ultrasound examinations at the 5th lumbar vertebrae in prone and standing positions were performed to assess LM cross-sectional area, echo-intensity, thickness. Independent and dependent t-test assessed the difference between sex and side, respectively. The relationships between measures were assessed with Person’s correlations. The LM characteristics’ difference between artists with and without low back pain was assessed with Analysis of covariance using lean body mass, height and % body fat as covariates.
Results
Males had significantly larger LM cross-sectional area, lower echo-intensity and greater thickness change from rest to contracted than females. LM cross-sectional area asymmetry in prone was greater in artists reporting low back pain in the previous 4-weeks (p = 0.029) and 3-months (p = 0.009). LM measures were correlated with lean body mass, height, and weight (r = 0.40–0.77, p ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion
This study provided novel insights into LM characteristics in circus artists. Greater LM asymmetry was observed in artists with a history of low back pain. In accordance with previous studies in athletes, LM morphology and function were highly correlated with body composition measurements.
“…Contrary to studies in varsity athletes,(9,11,33) BMI was correlated with LM CSA in our sample. In comparison to previously studied athletes with bigger statures, our sample of circus artists had lower percent body fat and large developed muscles (9,11,33,34,37). Of note, lean body mass was the best predictor of LM CSA in circus athletes.…”
Background
Degenerative structural changes and functional deficits of the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle were observed in athletes with low back pain. While spinal injuries are common in circus artists, there is no information on LM characteristics in this population. The aims of this study were to investigate LM morphology and function and explore the relationship between LM characteristics and low back pain in student circus artists.
Methods
Thirty-one college circus students were recruited. Participants completed an online survey to acquire demographic data and low back pain history. Body composition was measured using multi-frequency bio-impedance analysis. Ultrasound examinations at the 5th lumbar vertebrae in prone and standing positions were performed to assess LM cross-sectional area, echo-intensity, thickness. Independent and dependent t-test assessed the difference between sex and side, respectively. The relationships between measures were assessed with Person’s correlations. The LM characteristics’ difference between artists with and without low back pain was assessed with Analysis of covariance using lean body mass, height and % body fat as covariates.
Results
Males had significantly larger LM cross-sectional area, lower echo-intensity and greater thickness change from rest to contracted than females. LM cross-sectional area asymmetry in prone was greater in artists reporting low back pain in the previous 4-weeks (p = 0.029) and 3-months (p = 0.009). LM measures were correlated with lean body mass, height, and weight (r = 0.40–0.77, p ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion
This study provided novel insights into LM characteristics in circus artists. Greater LM asymmetry was observed in artists with a history of low back pain. In accordance with previous studies in athletes, LM morphology and function were highly correlated with body composition measurements.
Background
Degenerative structural changes and functional deficits of the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle were observed in athletes with low back pain. While spinal injuries are common in circus artists, there is no information on LM characteristics in this population. The aims of this study were to investigate LM morphology and function and explore the relationship between LM characteristics and low back pain in male and female circus artists.
Methods
31 college circus students were recruited. Participants completed an online survey to acquire demographic data and low back pain history. Body composition was measured using multi-frequency bio-impedance analysis. Ultrasound examinations at the fifth lumbar vertebrae in prone and standing positions were performed to assess LM cross-sectional area, echo-intensity, thickness. Independent and dependent t-test assessed the difference between sex and side, respectively. The relationships between measures were assessed with Pearson’s correlations. The LM characteristics’ difference between artists with and without low back pain (group binary variable) was assessed with Analysis of covariance using lean body mass, height and % body fat as continuous covariates.
Results
Males had significantly larger LM cross-sectional area, lower echo-intensity and greater thickness change from rest to contracted than females. LM cross-sectional area asymmetry in prone was greater in artists reporting low back pain in the previous 4-weeks (p = 0.029) and 3-months (p = 0.009). LM measures were correlated with lean body mass, height, and weight (r = 0.40–0.77, p ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion
This study provided novel insights into LM characteristics in circus artists. Greater LM asymmetry was observed in artists with a history of low back pain. In accordance with previous studies in athletes, LM morphology and function were highly correlated with body composition measurements.
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