Observation of Age‐Related Decline in the Performance of the Transverse Abdominis Muscle

Abstract

The core abdominal muscles provide support to the low back. One of the principle muscles of this group is the Transverse Abdominis (TrA) but being a deep muscle it is difficult to measure without invasive procedures. As we age skeletal muscle performance declines. The ageing population also suffers from low back pain and it is hypothesised that a decline in core muscle performance may contribute. Some previous investigations have used intramuscular EMG to assess TrA performance but no study has previously looked at the effect of age on the performance of the muscle. Therefore this study compared the time difference (D) of the TrA to rapid abduction of the shoulder joint of old and young adults using non-invasive ultrasound imaging. 18 young adults (18 males, age 27.0yrs ± 7.0) and 11 older adults (5 males 6 females, age 59.6yrs ± 4.0) were recruited for this study. The older group were significantly slower than the younger group to engage their TrA in response to the rapid arm abduction (p = 0.036). The result adds further evidence to the age-related decline in skeletal muscle performance. Consideration is given to the possible mechanisms responsible for the findings.

Transversus Abdominis Ultrasound Thickness during Popular Trunk–Pilates Exercises in Young and Middle-Aged Women

“…However, our results also show that young adults had significantly greater relative average TrA thickness than the middle-aged group in all exercises. This finding is consistent with previous research [ 6 , 30 , 31 ] as well as with a systematic review that has shown that younger individuals can recruit TrA higher than older individuals [ 40 ]. Our findings may be explained by several factors, such as differences in neuromuscular control, muscle fiber type composition, or hormonal status between younger and older individuals [ 40 ].…”

“…Previous studies have reported conflicting results on which exercises elicit higher TrA recruitment, such as upper or lower limb lifts from the quadruped position [ 25 ], prone plank [ 26 ], bridge exercises with abdominal bracing [ 27 , 28 ], or planks with opposite arm–leg elevation [ 29 ]. Moreover, some studies have suggested that there may be age-related differences in TrA activation [ 30 , 31 ]. A study by Kellis et al [ 6 ] showed that young adults had the greatest relative transversus abdominis thickness during contraction compared to middle-aged adults, adolescents, and children.…”

Association between abdominal muscle stiffness, diaphragm thickness and peak expiratory flow in younger versus older adults

“…Several studies have demonstrated that muscle stiffness is significantly higher in younger versus older adults (Do et al, 2021). Gaudreault et al (2021) reported that TrA activation and thickness decreased with age, whereas connective tissue (epimysium fascia) increased, and Davies et al (2016) reported that TrA recruitment in older adults was significantly slower than that in younger adults. Core muscle deterioration also occurs with aging and may contribute to decreased TrA stiffness.…”

Risco de sarcopenia em idosas com queixa de dor lombar aguda

“…Considering the mechanism of muscle stabilization, studies evidence that -when there is reduction of muscle fibers and reduction in the cross-sectional area of the stabilization muscles and consequent inability to support the demand imposedother muscles tend to compensate its function. These compensations would cause a postural imbalance with nonphysiological biomechanical responses that would trigger a painful process [14][15][16][17] . This would justify the results found in our study, which showed that the OWRS had higher pain intensity.…”

“…The loss of muscle fibers resulting from sarcopenia occurs in a generalized manner, compromising the muscles responsible for stabilization and maintenance of posture, as well as the multifidus, the paravertebral, the deep postural muscles and the transverse ones of the abdomen [13][14][15][16][17] . Thus, an imbalance can occur in the normal biomechanical functioning of the spinal cord, causing dysfunctions and compensations that can trigger pain processes in the area of the lumbar spine [15][16][17] .…”