Abstract
PurposeTo determine the volume and degree of asymmetry of iliopsoas (IL) and gluteal muscles (GL) in tennis and soccer players.MethodsIL and GL volumes were determined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in male professional tennis (TP) and soccer players (SP), and in non-active control subjects (CG) (n = 8, 15 and 6, respectively).ResultsThe dominant and non-dominant IL were hypertrophied in TP (24 and 36%, respectively, P<0.05) and SP (32 and 35%, respectively, P<0.05). In TP the asymmetric hypertrophy of IL (13% greater volume in the non-dominant than in the dominant IL, P<0.01) reversed the side-to-side relationship observed in CG (4% greater volume in the dominant than in the contralateral IL, P<0.01), whilst soccer players had similar volumes in both sides (P = 0.87). The degree of side-to-side asymmetry decreased linearly from the first lumbar disc to the pubic symphysis in TP (r = −0.97, P<0.001), SP (r = −0.85, P<0.01) and CG (r = −0.76, P<0.05). The slope of the relationship was lower in SP due to a greater hypertrophy of the proximal segments of the dominant IL. Soccer and CG had similar GL volumes in both sides (P = 0.11 and P = 0.19, for the dominant and contralateral GL, respectively). GL was asymmetrically hypertrophied in TP. The non-dominant GL volume was 20% greater in TP than in CG (P<0.05), whilst TP and CG had similar dominant GL volumes (P = 0.14).ConclusionsTennis elicits an asymmetric hypertrophy of IL and reverses the normal dominant-to-non-dominant balance observed in non-active controls, while soccer is associated to a symmetric hypertrophy of IL. Gluteal muscles are asymmetrically hypertrophied in TP, while SP display a similar size to that observed in controls. It remains to be determined whether the different patterns of IL and GL hypertrophy may influence the risk of injury.
Highlights
Iliopsoas (IL) and gluteal muscles (GL) are antagonist muscle groups which play an important role in several athletic tasks
The length of iliopsoas and gluteal muscles was longer in soccer players (SP) and tennis players (TP) than in CG (P,0.01)
Gluteal muscles were longer in TP than in SP (P,0.01)
Summary
Iliopsoas (IL) and gluteal muscles (GL) are antagonist muscle groups which play an important role in several athletic tasks. Gluteal muscles contribute to stabilize the pelvis during the frequent side-step cutting maneuvers performed in many sports [2]. Tennis and soccer are asymmetric sports which demand repeated unilateral actions. Several muscles are hypertrophied asymmetrically [3,4]. It remains to be determined whether soccer and tennis are associated to asymmetrical hypertrophy of iliopsoas and gluteal muscles. This information could help to design more specific strength training programs and to prevent common overload injuries associated to iliopsoas and gluteal muscles in tennis and soccer players, i.e. chronic groin pain or low back pain [5,6]
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