Abstract
Only a few previous studies have investigated paraspinal musculature (i.e., multifidus (MF), psoas major (PSM), erector spinae (ES)) in longitudinal, population-based settings. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the paraspinal muscles between the ages of 20 and 30 years. The study population consisted of a sub-cohort from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n = 298; 156 men, 142 women). Baseline magnetic resonance imaging was performed at a mean age of 21.3 years and follow-up imaging at 30.6 years. The CSA measurements were performed by tracing the paraspinal muscle outlines individually (MF, ES, PM) and all combined (total muscle area (TMA)) at the L4 cranial endplate level. The longitudinal data analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations modelling. The CSA of MF and ES increased during the follow-up among both sexes (men: MF + 5.7%, p < 0.001; ES + 2.7%, p = 0.001; and women: MF + 10.5%, p < 0.001; ES 9.2%, p = 0.001). The CSA of PM decreased among men (PM −4.0%, p < 0.001) but not among women (PM + 0.5%, p = 0.553). TMA increased significantly only among women (men: +0.5%, p = 0.425; women: +6.5%, p < 0.001). The increases in ES and TMA were more distinct among women than men (p < 0.001). Our study demonstrated clear age- and sex-related changes in paraspinal muscle size in early adulthood.
Highlights
The paraspinal musculature comprises muscle groups adjacent to the vertebrae and is responsible for the movement and stabilization of the spine
Our main findings were that the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the multifidus and erector spinae increased among both sexes and the total muscle area increased among the women but not among the men
The CSA of the psoas major decreased among the men but not among the women
Summary
The paraspinal musculature comprises muscle groups adjacent to the vertebrae and is responsible for the movement and stabilization of the spine. These muscles include the multifidus (MF), erector spinae (ES), interspinales, intertransversarii, psoas major (PM) and quadratus lumborum[13,14]. The erector spinae muscle group extends along the whole length of the spine[17] The function of these mucles is to extend the vertebral column[14]. Previous studies have clearly indicated that the vertebral bone dimensions in the lumbar spine seem to increase between 20 and 30 years of age among both sexes[21]. Like those of bone, the dynamics of muscle mass have a multifactorial basis[22]. We hypothesized that the CSA of all muscle groups would slightly increase in the same way as vertebral dimensions
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