Comparison of Lateral Abdominal Muscle Thickness and Cross Sectional Area of Multifidus in Adolescent Soccer Players with and without Low Back Pain: A Case Control Study

Abstract

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a common complaint amongst adolescent athletes. While different studies have shown association between LBP and trunk muscle thickness in the general population, few articles have studied it in adolescent athletes.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to compare lateral abdominal muscle thickness and function, and cross sectional area (CSA) of lumbar multifidus (LM) in adolescent soccer players with and without LBP.MethodsIn total, 28 adolescent soccer players with and without LBP, from the premier league participated in this study. The thickness of external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis and the CSA of the LM muscles at L4 level on both sides were measured at rest and contraction via ultrasound imaging (USI). In addition, leg length discrepancy, hamstring flexibility, active lumbar forward flexion, and isometric muscle endurance of trunk extensors were measured in both groups. (study design/setting: case control study).ResultsThe mean (SD) age in LBP group and non-LBP group were 14.0 (1.1) and 14.1 (0.9) years, respectively. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics of participants between groups. Findings showed no significant difference between LBP and non-LBP groups comparing all measured variables.ConclusionsThe data obtained support that there is not a correlation between abdominal muscle thickness and CSA of the lumbar multifidi and LBP in adolescent soccer players. These findings suggest that other factors rather than the thickness of deep trunk muscles may play a more significant role in the etiology of LBP in adolescent soccer players.

Ultrasound Measures of the Abdominal Wall in Patients with Low Back Pain Before and After an 8‐week Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program, and Their Association With Clinical Outcomes

“…Our baseline results also showed no difference in percent thickness change due to contraction in the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall between the patients with LBP and the healthy controls (Table ). Previous RUSI measures of EO and IO activation have also found no differences between these groups . Previous findings for TrA activation, however, are heterogeneous, with different studies showing negative (no difference) and positive findings .…”

“…Previous RUSI measures of EO and IO activation have also found no differences between these groups. 36,39,44 Previous findings for TrA activation, however, are heterogeneous, with different studies showing negative (no difference) 39,45 and positive findings. 35,36,44,46 The sample of patients with nonspecific LBP that was recruited for the present study might show other neuromuscular impairments.…”

“…In agreement with this conclusion, previous studies examining lateral abdominal muscle thickness at rest have found no differences between patients with LBP and healthy controls. 12,16,[35][36][37][38][39] This suggests that muscle atrophy following reflex inhibitory mechanisms, which has been substantiated for the lumbar multifidus, 40 may not occur in the lateral abdominal wall. However, of interest, atrophy of the psoas and quadratus lumborum, 15,41 as well as the rectus abdominis, 15,16 has been reported.…”

Leg Length Discrepancy in College Students and Its Association with Low Back Pain: a Preliminary Study

“…No association between LLD and LBP in our study is in accordance with prior studies. Noormohammadpour et al (2016) evaluated a small sample of 28 adolescent football players and reported that LBP had no link with LLD. A study by Goss, Moore, Slivka, & Hatler (2006) involved 1100 military cadets and match controls aft er 1-year participation in military training and athletic participation.…”

The Use of Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography for Spinal Pains Among Athletes, Gaps in the Knowledge

“…There have been studies which have used musculoskeletal ultrasonography in athletes. It has been used in the evaluation of transabdominal and paraspinal muscles in adolescent (6) and young (7) soccer players with/without low back pain. Researchers have also tracked muscle changes with musculoskeletal ultrasonography among soccer players during a season with and without developing low back pain (8).…”