Transversus Abdominis Thickness Change Research Articles

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

The transversus abdominis (TrA) is a core muscle that contributes to functional mobility and lumbar stability. This study aimed to compare the changes in TrA thickness during different Pilates exercises, and to identify the exercise that elicited the greatest TrA activation. Forty-four healthy women were divided into two groups: young (25-35 years old) and middle-aged (36-55 years old). TrA thickness was assessed by ultrasound while the participants performed five Pilates exercises: basic position, hundred, hip roll, side plank, and dead bug. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that the dead bug exercise induced a significantly higher increase in TrA thickness (relative to rest) than the other exercises (p < 0.05). The young group also showed a significantly higher overall TrA thickness than the middle-aged group (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that the dead bug exercise is the most effective for enhancing TrA activation among the Pilates exercises tested. The basic position and the hundred exercises can be used as warm-up exercises before performing more challenging exercises such as the hip roll, the side plank, and the dead bug. The sequence of exercises can be similar for both young and middle-aged women.

The Effects of Thrust Joint Manipulation on the Resting and Contraction Thickness of Transversus Abdominis in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Control Trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the immediate changes in resting and contracted thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle after application of thrust joint manipulation (TJM) vs sham manipulation in participants with low back pain. MethodsA pretest–posttest randomized controlled trial design was performed. Consecutive subjects satisfying eligibility criteria completed patient-report outcome baseline measures, pretreatment rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) measurements, followed by the randomly assigned intervention then, post-treatment RUSI measurements, and post-treatment & final patient-reported outcome measures. To compare the outcomes of TJM and sham manipulation on the TrA muscle thickness, a 2-by-2 analysis of variance (treatment [TJM and sham manipulation]) by time (pretreatment and post-treatment) was completed for both the TrA muscle thickness at rest and muscle thickness during contraction. Descriptive statistics including independent-sample t tests for continuous variables and χ2 tests for categorical variables were used to analyze differences in patient-reported outcome measures between groups. ResultsSixty-seven eligible participants agreed to participate. No significant interactions were identified for either muscle thickness at rest or contraction. ConclusionThis study did not support the hypothesis that manipulation would result in greater changes in TrA thickness at rest or during contraction in participants with low back pain. Based on prior research that identified subgroups of participants likely to respond to manipulation, future research should include participants more likely to respond favorably to TJM. This study was a priori registered with clinicaltrails.gov (NCT02558855).

Interday Reliability and Precision of Lumbar Multifidus and Transversus Abdominis Thickness Change During Dynamic Activities

Interday Reliability and Precision of Lumbar Multifidus and Transversus Abdominis Thickness Change During Dynamic Activities

Changes in Transversus Abdominis Muscle Thickness after Lumbo-Pelvic Core Stabilization Training among Chronic Low Back Pain Individuals.

Lumbo-pelvic core stabilization training (LPST) is one of the therapeutic exercises common in practice for rehabilitation of patients with chronic low back pain. This study was carried out to examine the therapeutic effects of LPST on the muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (TrA) at rest and during contraction among patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. A total of 25 participants (7 males and 18 females) with chronic non-specific low back pain participated in a within-subject, repeated measures, double-blinded, placebo-controlled comparisons trial. The participants received three different types of experimental therapeutic training conditions which includes the lumbo-pelvic core stabilization training (LPST), the placebo treatment with passive cycling (PC) and a controlled intervention with rest (CI). The interventions were carried out by randomization with 48 hours between the sessions. The effectiveness of interventions was studied by measuring the changes in muscle thickness of TrA at rest and during contraction using a real time ultrasonography. Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated that the LPST provided significant therapeutic benefits as measured by an increase in the muscle thickness of the TrA at rest (p<0.05) and during contraction (p<0.01). The percentage change of the muscle thickness observed during LPST was significantly higher (p<0.01) when compared to the other two experimental training conditions. The findings indicated that the LPST might provide therapeutic benefits by increasing the muscle thickness and function of TrA. Therefore, it is suggested that LPST technique should be considered as part of management program for treatment of low back pain.

INFLUENCE OF LUMBOPELVIC STABILITY ON DEADLIFT PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITIVE POWERLIFTERS

The deadlift exposes the spine to extreme loads and requires adequate lumbopelvic (core) stability. Deadlift performance may be influenced by the neuromuscular control of the trunk. In this study, we aimed to compare the transversus abdominis contractile rates in an elite powerlifter with those of a control group during deadlift and estimate the relationships between core stability and deadlift performance. In the present controlled laboratory study, 16 powerlifters [8 male national-level powerlifters and 8 male regional-level powerlifters (control group)] were tested for changes in transversus abdominis thickness to evaluate transversus abdominis contractility at each deadlift phase using ultrasound imaging. Compared with the control group, the elite powerlifters showed a higher transversus abdominis contractile rate when the weight was at knee level (2.16 vs. 1.74; p = .04). There were no significant differences between the transversus abdominis contractile rates in both groups when the weight was at the floor and top level. This study reveals that deadlift performance may be influenced by transversus abdominis contractility (lumbopelvic stability).

Reliability of real-time ultrasound measurement of transversus abdominis thickness in healthy trained subjects

To investigate intra- and inter-rater reliability of the ultrasound measurement of transversus abdominis (TrA) thickness and thickness change (difference between thickness at rest and during contraction) in asymptomatic, trained subjects. To define the number of repeated measurements that provide acceptable level of reliability. To investigate variability of the measurements over time of 5 days and the reliability of duplicate analysis of images. A single-group repeated-measures design was used to assess reliability. Healthy volunteers (n = 10) were subjected to 1-week training in voluntary activation of TrA. Real-time ultrasound imaging and subsequent measurement of the TrA thickness at rest and during voluntary contraction were repeated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the next week. Using a single repeated measurement, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for TrA thickness were: 0.86-0.95 (intra-rater), 0.86-0.92 (inter-rater); and for TrA thickness change: 0.34-0.56 (intra-rater), 0.47-0.61 (inter-rater). Using the mean of three repeated measurements respective values were: 0.97, 0.96-0.98; and 0.81-0.84, 0.80-0.90. No significant differences were found between mean values of TrA thickness as well as thickness change obtained on three consecutive measurement days. Duplicate analysis of the images was highly reliable with ICCs of 0.89-0.99. Two repeated measurements for TrA thickness and at least three measurements for TrA thickness change are needed to achieve acceptable levels of intra- and inter-rater reliability. In healthy trained volunteers TrA thickness and thickness change are relatively stable parameters over a 5-day period. Duplicate analysis of the same images by two blinded observers is reliable.

The effect of lumbar posture on abdominal muscle thickness during an isometric leg task in people with and without non-specific low back pain

This study investigated the effect of lumbar posture on function of transversus abdominis (TrA) and obliquus internus (OI) in people with and without non-specific low back pain (LBP) during a lower limb task. Rehabilitative ultrasound was used to measure thickness change of TrA and OI during a lower limb task that challenged the stability of the spine. Measures were taken in supine in neutral and flexed lumbar postures in 30 patients and 30 healthy subjects. Data were analysed using a two-way (groups, postures) ANOVA. Our results showed that lumbar posture influenced percent thickness change of the TRA muscle but not for OI. An interaction between group and posture was found for TrA thickness change (F1,56 = 6.818, p = 0.012). For this muscle, only healthy participants showed greater thickness change with neutral posture compared to flexed (mean difference = 6.2%; 95% CI: 3.1–9.3%; p < 0.001). Comparisons between groups for both muscles were not significant. Neutral lumbar posture can facilitate an increase in thickness of the TrA muscle while performing a leg task, however this effect was not observed for this muscle in patients with LBP. No significant difference in TrA and OI thickness change between people with and without non-specific LBP was found.

Effect of 2 Lumbar Spine Postures on Transversus Abdominis Muscle Thickness During a Voluntary Contraction in People With and Without Low Back Pain

Objective The present study investigated the effect of 2 different lumbar spine postures, neutral and flexed lumbar postures, on transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle function during a voluntary contraction (hollowing and draw-in maneuver) in people with and without low back pain (LBP). Methods Thirty participants with LBP and 30 healthy participants were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Transversus abdominis muscle function was measured as a change in thickness with ultrasound imaging. Participants performed voluntary TrA contraction in a supine lying position with the lumbar spine in neutral and flexed postures. Data were analyzed using a 2-way (groups, postures) analysis of variance. Results Lumbar posture influenced TrA function during a voluntary contraction in people with and without LBP. There was a significant main effect of posture (F 1,58 = 16.140, P < .001). Neutral lumbar posture improved participants' ability to recruit TrA in both group (mean difference, 7.5%; 95% confidence interval, 3.8%-11.3%). No significant differences were found between healthy subjects and those with LBP. Conclusions The results of the present study showed that, in subjects performing a voluntary TrA contraction, the neutral lumbar posture improves the ability to increase change in TrA thickness. This study found no significant difference in TrA thickness change between healthy subjects and those with nonspecific LBP.

体幹運動による腹横筋の筋厚変化―上・中・下部線維別検討―

This study investigated the changes in muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (TrA) during trunk muscle training. The subjects comprised 30 young men (average age 20.1 SD1.6 years) without low back pain. The muscle thickness of the upper region of TrA, middle region of TrA and lower region of TrA were measured by B-mode ultrasound. Muscle thickness were measured at rest and during the following 5 exercises; abdominal drawing, curl up, trunk ipsilateral rotation, trunk contralateral rotation and both straight leg raise in supine. There were no significant differences in the muscle thickness of the upper region of TrA between resting condition and all exercises. Muscle thickness during drawing, curl up and ipsilateral rotation were significantly greater than that at rest in middle region of TrA, and the rate of change in muscle thickness was the largest for drawing. Muscle thickness during drawing, curl up and ipsilateral rotation were significantly greater than that at rest in the lower region of TrA, and the rate of change in muscle thickness was the largest for ipsilateral rotation. These results suggested that the changes in muscle thickness of TrA during trunk muscle training showed different patterns depending on the region of TrA.

Measures of Trunk Muscle Endurance and Neuromuscular Control Are Not Correlated

Trunk stability influences injury and has been previously demonstrated to be dependent on neuromuscular control of the abdominal muscles. Clinical tests of muscle endurance have been used to assess trunk stability. It is not known if abdominal muscle endurance and neuromuscular control are related or measure different factors that influence trunk stability and injury risk separately. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between trunk muscle endurance and changes in muscle thickness of the lateral abdominal muscles during abdominal hollowing. METHODS: Nineteen healthy, physically active subjects participated in this study. Ultrasound images of the lateral abdominal muscles were collected at rest and during performance of abdominal hollowing. All abdominal hollowing tasks were performed in a crook lying position, and subjects were provided tactile, verbal, and visual feedback. Increase in thickness of the transversus abdominis was calculated relative to the increase in the thickness of all the lateral abdominal muscles. Three trials were performed and subjects were required to hold each contraction for ten seconds each. Subjects also performed two endurance tests: human arrow and lateral side bridge. Each required the subject to hold a position for as long as possible, each was recorded for time until failure, when the subject was unable to hold the position or respond to verbal corrections. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the association within subject among the relative increase in transversus abdominis muscle thickness and the recorded times for each task. RESULTS: Changes in transversus abdominis thickness were not correlated with time to failure for the human arrow test (r=0.01, p=0.983) or the lateral bridge (r=-0.11, p=0.665). Time to failure for the human arrow and lateral bridge tasks were significantly correlated (r=0.786, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Measures of trunk muscle endurance and abdominal neuromuscular control are not correlated within subjects. These findings indicate that endurance tests may not provide an adequate assessment of trunk stability.

Changes in Transversus Abdominis Thickness With Use of the Abdominal Drawing-In Maneuver During a Functional Task

The purpose of this study was to examine an individual's ability to produce an increase in transversus abdominis (TrA) thickness during the performance of a functional task with the use of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). Within-subject repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of the ADIM and a loaded forward-reaching activity on the dependent variable of TrA thickness. Laboratory. Convenience sample of 8 women and 8 men, asymptomatic, with a mean age of 27.6 +/- 7.1 years. Ultrasound imaging measurements were recorded during 4 conditions: (1) while the patient was standing without the ADIM; (2) while the patient was standing with the ADIM; (3) during a loaded forward-reaching activity without the ADIM; and (4) during a loaded forward-reaching activity with the ADIM. Thickness of the TrA muscle. The measurement obtained by an investigator blinded to the condition revealed statistically significant differences in the thickness of the TrA between all uncontracted conditions as compared with all contracted conditions. No statistically significant difference in the thickness of the TrA in the contracted states during quiet standing versus loaded forward reach was observed. Subjects in this study demonstrated the ability to voluntarily activate the TrA during upright static and functional tasks. Additionally, the TrA thickness may change in a direction-specific manner. These findings support a protective role of the ADIM during functional activity and may add information to ways for promoting low back pain prevention. Future studies should include the effectiveness in the use of ADIM during functional tasks for the prevention of low back pain.

Transversus abdominis: Changes in thickness during an incremental upper limb exercise test

The aim of this study was to measure transversus abdominis (TrA) during an incremental fatiguing task. Using real-time ultrasound, TrA thickness was measured in 26 healthy subjects (18–25 years, 9 male) during an unsupported upper limb exercise test (UULEX). Repeatability of changes in TrA thickness during the UULEX was established by using a test-retest process (n=9, intraclass correlation coefficient=0.62 (95% CI 0.38–0.82), standard error of measurement ∼1 (95% CI 0.87–1.08)). Using mixed model analysis with time as an independent variable, TrA thickness changed significantly throughout the UULEX (p < 0.05). Measures of TrA thickness at minutes 10, 11, and 12 were significantly greater than at baseline (p=0.006 (95% CI 0.23–1.35), 0.001 (95% CI 0.45–1.61), and <0.0001 (95% CI 0.77–2.03), respectively). Transversus abdominis was shown to be continuously and increasingly active over the 12 minutes of an incremental bilateral upper limb test in young healthy adults. As increases in TrA thickness occurred at the points of greatest postural and ventilatory demands, these findings may have implications for subjects with musculoskeletal or respiratory impairments who are often challenged by upper limb tasks.