Ultrasonography of the deep abdominal muscles at rest and during the drawing-in maneuver: A comparative study of Japanese adolescent vs. adult soccer players

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of abdominal deep muscles in adolescent soccer players. METHODS: Participants were 53 soccer players from junior high school and 14 adult soccer players. The deep abdominal muscles of both sides were imaged by ultrasonography. Abdominal muscles on the dominant leg side were selected as the targets of measurements, and measurements of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) muscle were conducted. The muscle thickness of these muscles was measured at rest and during contraction (while drawing-in of the abdominal wall) and served as the basis for comparing the adolescent and adult players. RESULTS: While no significant inter-group differences were noted in the thickness of the TrA or IO muscle at rest, a significant difference was observed during the drawing-in maneuver. CONCLUSION: The deep abdominal muscles of adolescent soccer players have not likely reached full maturity.

Muscle Thickness During Core Stability Exercises in Children and Adults

“…Our findings also showed a low association between age and TRA thickness across the whole sample, while there was no systematic difference in thickness between children and adolescents (Table 1). Watanabe et al (2013) found no differences in TRA thickness at rest between adolescents and adults. Nevertheless, in the same study (Watanabe et al, 2013), adolescents displayed lower TRA thickness during contraction compared to adults, which is in line with the present findings.…”

“…Watanabe et al (2013) found no differences in TRA thickness at rest between adolescents and adults. Nevertheless, in the same study (Watanabe et al, 2013), adolescents displayed lower TRA thickness during contraction compared to adults, which is in line with the present findings.…”

“…Since all participants had no specific experience with core stability exercises, we can suggest that growth and puberty as well as the aging process might have an effect on the ability to activate the deep spinal and abdominal muscles during contraction. Watanabe et al (2013) attributed the difference in the CTR between adolescents and adults to an immature contraction of the TRA and the trunk musculature, in general. This conclusion was based on previous observations that development of the spinal column was completed towards the end of the developmental period (Tanner et al, 1982).…”

“…With respect to muscle size, most studies examined large pennate muscles of the lower limbs (Herzog et al, 2011;Housh et al, 1994;Kellis et al, 2014;O'Brien et al, 2010a). Watanabe et al (2013) reported that adult soccer players showed similar TRA thickness at rest compared with adolescent players. In contrast, adult players showed almost a 2.5 times greater contraction ratio during the draw-in-maneuver compared with adolescents.…”

Comparison of Abdominal and Lumbar Muscles Electromyography Activity During Two Types of Stabilization Exercises

“…TrA muscle performs like a lumbar corset and preserves spinal stability [30,33,34]. Bilateral TrA activation is seen in anticipatory manner during lower limbs movement and act as a low back stabilizer prior to activities [35][36][37]. Also the stability in the spinal segments and sacroiliac joint can improve by increasing of tension in the thoracolumbar fascia and intra-abdominal pressure [38][39][40].…”