Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare with rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) abdominal wall muscle thickness and interrecti distance (IRD) between elite and amateur basketball players. A sample of 32 basketball players (age: 23.0 ± 8.5; height: 1.89 ± 14.25 m; weight: 86.6 ± 15.5 kg; body mass index: 22.8 ± 2.6 kg/m2) was divided in two groups: professional elite and amateur players. A diagnostic ultrasound tool with a 7–14 MHz range linear transducer was used for B mode ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound images of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrAb), and rectus anterior (RA) muscles as well as IRD were measured and analyzed by ImageJ software. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) with greater height, weight, and Nijmegen scores were shown in favor of the elite basketball players compared to the amateur basketball players. Ultrasound measurements of the abdominal wall muscles showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) for increased IRD and left TrAb thickness and decreased right and left EO thickness in favor of the elite versus amateur basketball players. The rest of the measurements did not show any statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Increased IRD and TrAb thickness and reduced EO thickness may be shown in elite versus amateur basketball players.
Highlights
Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) has been used to evaluate the thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA), and connective tissue associated with musculoskeletal features that may influence physical therapy evaluation [1]
A cross-sectional observational study was performed from January to March 2018, following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines [23]
In terms of greater height, weight, and Nijmegen scores were shown in favor of the elite basketball players versus the amateur basketball players
Summary
Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) has been used to evaluate the thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA), and connective tissue associated with musculoskeletal features that may influence physical therapy evaluation [1]. Considering the upper limb, supraspinatus muscle thickness has been associated with subacromial impingement syndrome [3]. Ultrasound may be considered as a valid and reliable technique to assess the CSA of intrinsic hand muscles and could be useful to predict muscle strength in patients with nerve. Sci. 2018, 8, 809 injuries [4]. A recent study found decreased thickness in the vastus medialis muscle in patients with knee osteoarthritis [5]. CSA and thickness of the abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis were reduced in patients with hallux valgus [7]. With respect to the temporomandibular region, the function of the masseter, temporalis, and sternocleidomastoid muscles has been linked with temporomandibular joint disorders [8]
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