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Journal of Athletic Training Dec 2018The abdominal-bracing maneuver, a volitional preemptive abdominal contraction (VPAC) strategy, is commonly used during resisted shoulder exercises. How VPAC affects...
CONTEXT
The abdominal-bracing maneuver, a volitional preemptive abdominal contraction (VPAC) strategy, is commonly used during resisted shoulder exercises. How VPAC affects shoulder-muscle function during resisted shoulder exercise is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the effects of VPAC on selected parascapular and glenohumeral muscles during specific shoulder exercises with or without resistance.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.
SETTING
Clinical biomechanics research laboratory.
PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Twenty-two asymptomatic volunteers between 18 and 40 years of age.
INTERVENTION(S)
Participants performed arm elevation in scaption and D1 shoulder-flexion (D1F) patterns with and without resistance and VPAC.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Electromyography was used to test the muscle-contraction amplitudes and onset timing of the anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior. Muscle-response amplitudes were quantified using root mean square electromyography. Shoulder-muscle relative-onset timing was quantified in reference to kinematic elbow-movement initiation.
RESULTS
The VPAC increased serratus anterior amplitude during D1F ( P < .001) and scaption ( P < .001) and upper trapezius amplitude ( P < .001) in scaption. All muscle amplitudes increased with resistance. The VPAC decreased muscle-onset latencies for the anterior deltoid ( P < .001), posterior deltoid ( P = .008), upper trapezius ( P = .001), lower trapezius ( P = .006), and serratus anterior ( P = .001) during D1F. In addition, the VPAC decreased muscle-onset latencies for the anterior deltoid ( P < .001), posterior deltoid ( P = .007), upper trapezius ( P < .001), lower trapezius ( P < .001), and serratus anterior ( P < .001) during scaption.
CONCLUSIONS
The VPAC affected only the parascapular muscles that had the greatest scapular-stabilizing roles during the specific open chain movement we tested. It decreased latencies in all muscles. These neuromuscular changes may enhance the stability of the shoulder during D1F and scaption exercises.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cross-Sectional Studies; Electromyography; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Movement; Muscle Contraction; Range of Motion, Articular; Scapula; Shoulder; Superficial Back Muscles; Young Adult
PubMed: 30543446
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-255-17 -
Medicine May 2019The aim of the study was to introduce our in-house software to measure the muscle and adipose area on axial computed tomography (CT) scans and to compare with various... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The aim of the study was to introduce our in-house software to measure the muscle and adipose area on axial computed tomography (CT) scans and to compare with various quantification methods.Our institutional review board approved this retrospective study and informed consent was waived. We developed in-house software to identify body composition analysis on CT scan, which semiautomatically operates 3 image processing steps. Abdominal images were obtained using multidetector row CT (MDCT). Two radiologists analyzed the same cross-sectional areas of subcutaneous fat, muscle, and visceral fat using the following techniques: manual measurements, Aquarius, ImageJ, and our newly developed software. We calculated an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for comparison of muscle and fat areas quantified by various measurement methods using a 2-way random model. Interobserver agreement between the radiologists was also evaluated.Agreements in the measurement of subcutaneous fat and muscle areas were excellent among the methods (ICC = 0.962 and 0.897, respectively), and that of the visceral fat area was good (ICC = 0.822). In the subgroup analysis, ICC of the visceral fat area in the female group and in subjects with ascites was slightly lower than the other group (ICC = 0.742 and 0.787, respectively). The correlation coefficients between our software and other methods were relatively high (r = 0.854-0.996). Additionally, ICCs between both observers of our program for quantification of subcutaneous fat, muscle, and visceral fat areas were 0.999, 0.980, and 0.999, respectively.In conclusion, our method showed be reliable in quantifying muscle and adipose tissue using cross-sectional areas of MDCT with high reproducibility.
Topics: Abdominal Fat; Abdominal Muscles; Adipose Tissue; Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Male; Middle Aged; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Observer Variation; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Software; Statistics, Nonparametric; Subcutaneous Fat
PubMed: 31145342
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015867 -
PloS One 2019Quantification of abdominal muscle mass by cross-sectional imaging has been increasingly used to diagnose sarcopenia; however, the technical method for quantification...
BACKGROUND
Quantification of abdominal muscle mass by cross-sectional imaging has been increasingly used to diagnose sarcopenia; however, the technical method for quantification has not been standardized yet. We aimed to determine an optimal method to measure the abdominal muscle area.
METHODS
Among 50 consecutive subjects who underwent abdominal CT and MRI for possible liver donation, total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and total psoas muscle area (TPA) at the L3 inferior endplate level were measured by two blinded readers. Inter-scan agreement between CT and MRI and inter-reader agreement between the two readers were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and within-subject coefficient of variation (WSCV). To evaluate the effect of measurement level, one reader measured TAMA and TPA at six levels from the L2 to L4 vertebral bodies.
RESULTS
TAMA was a more reliable biomarker than TPA in terms of inter-scan agreement (ICC: 0.928 vs. 0.788 for reader 1 and 0.853 vs. 0.821 for reader 2, respectively; WSCV: 8.3% vs. 23.4% for reader 1 and 10.4% vs. 22.3% for reader 2, respectively) and inter-reader agreement (ICC: 0.986 vs. 0.886 for CT and 0.865 vs. 0.669 for MRI, respectively; WSCV: 8.2% vs. 16.0% for CT and 11.6% vs. 29.7% for MRI, respectively). In terms of the measurement level, TAMA did not differ from the L2inf to L4inf levels, whereas TPA increased with a decrease in measurement level.
CONCLUSIONS
TAMA is a better biomarker than TPA in terms of inter-scan and inter-reader agreement and robustness to the measurement level. CT was a more reliable imaging modality than MRI. Our results support the use of TAMA measured by CT as a standard biomarker for abdominal muscle area measurement.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Observer Variation; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Psoas Muscles; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult
PubMed: 31536542
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222042 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023We aimed to assess the effects of interaction between several breathing patterns and postures on abdominal muscle activation and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). This...
We aimed to assess the effects of interaction between several breathing patterns and postures on abdominal muscle activation and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). This comparative cross-sectional study enrolled fourteen healthy university students majoring in sports science and/or physical education. They performed four active breathing tasks: quiet nasal breathing (Q-Bre), nasal deep breathing (Deep-Bre), completely forced expiration (Forced-Expi), and exertional nasal inhalation with abdominal muscles with isometric contraction (Exertion-Inspi) in the elbow-toe plank and supine postures. Breathing volume; IAP; and transverse abdominis-internal oblique muscle (TrA-IO) and external oblique muscle (EO) activities were recorded. Abdominal muscle activity and IAP significantly interacted with breathing pattern and postures during the expiratory phase (p < 0.05). In the inspiratory phase, TrA-IO activity was significantly affected by breathing pattern and EO activity with posture (p < 0.05). TrA-IO activity significantly increased during Forced-Expi in the supine posture (47.6% of the maximum voluntary contraction) and Exertion-Inspi in the elbow-toe posture (35.7%), whereas no differences were found during Deep-Bre or Q-Bre (< 20%). EO activity increased in the elbow-toe posture (22.5-30.6%) compared with that in the supine posture (< 5%) during all breathing tasks. IAP values were low during all tasks (< 15%) except for Forced-Expi (24.9%). Abdominal muscle activation and IAP interacted with the breathing pattern and posture.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Electromyography; Abdominal Muscles; Posture; Respiration; Muscle Contraction
PubMed: 37443166
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37629-5 -
RoFo : Fortschritte Auf Dem Gebiete Der... May 2020Avulsion injuries of the pelvis and hip region are typical injuries in adolescent athletes but can be found in adults as well. Typical sites for avulsion injuries... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Avulsion injuries of the pelvis and hip region are typical injuries in adolescent athletes but can be found in adults as well. Typical sites for avulsion injuries include the origin/insertion of tendons and ligaments. Among adolescents, the not yet ossified apophysis is also frequently involved. The pelvis and hip are especially prone to such injuries due to their complex musculotendinous anatomy. Clinical history and physical examination in combination with the recognition of typical imaging findings are essential for correct diagnosis of these mostly acute, but sometimes also chronic injuries.
METHODS
This review article describes typical avulsion injuries of the pelvis and hip and illustrates common radiological findings. Taking current literature into account, there is a special focus on the trauma mechanism, clinical examination, typical imaging findings and clinical management.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
Detailed knowledge of musculotendinous anatomy and typical injury mechanisms allows a correct diagnosis of avulsion injuries often only based on clinical examination and radiographic findings. Further imaging with ultrasound and MRI may be necessary to evaluate tendon retraction in non-osseous avulsion injuries and extent of soft-tissue damage. Knowledge of potential complications of acute/chronic injuries can help to avoid unnecessary examinations or invasive interventions. Conservative management of avulsion injuries usually leads to functionally good results. However, in the case of competitive athletes, relatively wide bone fragment dislocation or marked tendon retraction, operative re-fixation may be considered in order to expedite the rehabilitation process.
KEY POINTS
· Avulsion injuries are common injuries at the pelvic region especially in adolescent athletes, due to not yet ossified apophysis.. · Excellent anatomical knowledge is essential for proper diagnostic evaluation and predicting the mechanism of injury.. · Imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing avulsion injuries starting from X-Ray and using MRI and CT for anatomical details by utilizing multiplanar capabilities..
CITATION FORMAT
· Albtoush OM, Bani-Issa J, Zitzelsberger T et al. Avulsion Injuries of the Pelvis and Hip. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 431 - 440.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adolescent; Adult; Athletic Injuries; Enthesopathy; Female; Fractures, Avulsion; Hip Fractures; Humans; Ilium; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Ligaments; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Pelvic Bones; Physical Examination; Tendon Injuries
PubMed: 32106326
DOI: 10.1055/a-1082-1598 -
Journal of Sports Science & Medicine Mar 2022The abdominal muscles are vital in providing core stability for functional movements during most activities. There is a correlation between side asymmetry of these...
The abdominal muscles are vital in providing core stability for functional movements during most activities. There is a correlation between side asymmetry of these muscles and dysfunction. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare trunk muscle morphology and trunk rotational strength between sprint hurdlers, an asymmetrical sport, and sprinters, a symmetrical sport. Twenty-one trained collegiate sprint hurdlers and sprinters were recruited for the study (Hurdlers: 4M, 7F; Sprinters: 8M, 2F), average age (years) hurdlers: 20 ± 1.2; sprinters: 20.4 ± 1.9, height (cm) hurdlers: 172.6 ± 10.2; sprinters: 181.7 ± 4.5, and weight (kg) hurdlers: 67.6 ± 12.0; sprinters: 73.9 ± 5.6. Using real-time ultrasound, panoramic images of the internal oblique (IO) and external oblique (EO) were obtained at rest and contracted (flexion and rotation) in a seated position for both right and left sides of the trunk. While wearing a specially crafted shoulder harness, participants performed three maximal voluntary trunk rotational contractions (MVC). The three attempts were then averaged to obtain an overall MVC score for trunk rotation strength. Average MVC trunk rotational strength to the right was greater among all participants, < 0.001. The IO showed greater and significant thickness changes from resting to contracted state than the EO, this was observed in all participants. The IO side asymmetry was significantly different between groups < 0.01. Hurdlers, involved in a unilaterally demanding sport, exhibited the expected asymmetry in muscle morphology and in trunk rotational strength. Interestingly, sprinters, although involved in a seemingly symmetrical sport, also exhibited asymmetrical trunk morphology and trunk rotational strength.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Abdominal Oblique Muscles; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Muscle, Skeletal; Torso
PubMed: 35250341
DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2022.120 -
Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria Oct 2016Respiratory muscle training is the most commonly used method to revert respiratory muscle weakness; however, the effect of protocols based on non-respiratory maneuvers...
INTRODUCTION
Respiratory muscle training is the most commonly used method to revert respiratory muscle weakness; however, the effect of protocols based on non-respiratory maneuvers has not been adequately studied in the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of abdominal muscle training on respiratory muscle strength and forced expiratory flows in healthy adolescents.
METHODS
This was a quasi-experiment. The sample was made up of healthy adolescents divided into two groups: an experimental group who completed eight weeks of active abdominal muscle training, and an equivalent control group. The following indicators were measured: abdominal muscle strength, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), peak expiratory flow, and peak cough flow, before and after protocol completion. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
All studied outcome measures increased significantly in the experimental group but only MEP increased in the control group. In addition, a higher MEP was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group at the end of the protocol, together with a greater increase in MEP and peak expiratory flow. Finally, the increase in MEP was associated with an increase in cough peak flow in the experimental group but not in the control group.
CONCLUSION
After eight weeks of abdominal muscle training, MEP and peak expiratory flow increased in healthy (sedentary) adolescents. Such effects were associated with intervention-induced increases in cough peak flow.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adolescent; Exercise; Female; Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; Humans; Male; Muscle Strength; Respiratory Muscles; Sedentary Behavior
PubMed: 27606641
DOI: 10.5546/aap.2016.eng.434 -
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences Aug 2023This study aims at examining the effects of Pilates training on the transversus abdominis (TrA) and internal obliques (IO) muscle thickness and core endurance in...
BACKGROUND
This study aims at examining the effects of Pilates training on the transversus abdominis (TrA) and internal obliques (IO) muscle thickness and core endurance in different positions in patients with Parkinson's Disease.
METHODS
Patients were divided into 2 groups as Pilates training (n = 13) and control (n = 10) groups. Pilates training was performed twice a week for 6 weeks. The participants' muscle thickness and core endurance were measured at the beginning of the study (pretraining), and the effectiveness of Pilates training was then assessed in the 6th week (posttraining) and in the 12th-week follow-up. The thickness of the TrA and IO muscles was measured with a two-dimensional ultrasonography device. Core endurance was assessed with prone bridge and sit-ups tests.
RESULTS
The assessments of the Pilates training group after the 6-week showed a statistically significant increase in the prone bridge and sit-ups test performances, and an increase in the thickness of the IO muscle [during resting in the supine position and abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) in standing position] and the TrA muscle (during ADIM in the standing position) (p < 0.05). Pilates exercises were also shown to have improved core muscle endurance and thickness (IO thickness during ADIM in the standing position and TrA thickness during resting in the supine position, ADIM in the supine and standing position) in the Pilates training group after a period of 18 weeks (p < 0.05).
DISCUSSION
Pilates training has a favorable effect on the core endurance, and the TrA and IO muscle thickness of patients with Parkinson's disease and this effect can be maintained until three months after the training.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Single-Blind Method; Abdominal Muscles; Exercise Therapy; Ultrasonography; Exercise Movement Techniques; Muscle Contraction
PubMed: 38031945
DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5663 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Dec 2023: Abdominal muscle exercises with limb movements are more effective for trunk stabilization than traditional exercises involving trunk flexion alone. This study examined... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
: Abdominal muscle exercises with limb movements are more effective for trunk stabilization than traditional exercises involving trunk flexion alone. This study examined the effects of abdominal exercises incorporating sprinter pattern and crunch exercises on changes in the lordotic curve and abdominal muscle activation in individuals with low back pain caused by hyperlordosis resulting from weak abdominal muscles. : In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, a total of 40 participants with hyperlordosis were recruited and randomly assigned to perform either sprinter-pattern abdominal exercises or crunch exercises. The participants assigned to each group performed three sets of ten abdominal exercises. The lumbar lordotic angle (LLA) and sacrohorizontal angle (SHA) were assessed prior to and following the intervention, whereas abdominal muscle activity was gauged throughout the intervention period. Changes in the LLA and SHA were measured by radiography. Abdominal muscle activity was measured using electromyography. : The LLA and SHA decreased significantly in both groups ( < 0.001), while the sprinter-pattern exercise group showed a statistically significant decrease compared to the crunch exercise group ( < 0.001). In the activity of the abdominal muscles, there was no significant difference in the rectus abdominis muscle between the two groups ( > 0.005). However, a significant difference between the external and internal oblique muscles was observed, and the activities of both muscles were significantly higher in the sprinter-pattern exercise group than in the crunch exercise group ( < 0.005). : Abdominal exercise using a sprinter pattern may be effective in reducing lumbar lordosis by strengthening the abdominal muscles in patients with hyperlordosis.
Topics: Humans; Lordosis; Single-Blind Method; Abdominal Muscles; Exercise; Rectus Abdominis
PubMed: 38138280
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122177 -
BMC Women's Health Nov 2022Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a prevalent condition in the postpartum period. To date, there is scant knowledge on how DRA influences physical, mental, and...
Primiparous women's knowledge of diastasis recti abdominis, concerns about abdominal appearance, treatments, and perceived abdominal muscle strength 6-8 months postpartum. A cross sectional comparison study.
BACKGROUND
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a prevalent condition in the postpartum period. To date, there is scant knowledge on how DRA influences physical, mental, and emotional health. This study investigates primiparous women`s knowledge about DRA, concerns about abdominal appearance, and perceived abdominal muscle strength, comparing women with and without reported DRA.
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional comparison study. Data were collected by a web-based questionnaire, mainly through social media in Norway. To be included in the study women had to be primiparous 6-8 months postpartum. The questionnaire contained questions regarding women`s knowledge about DRA, perceived protrusion, received treatment, concerns with abdominal appearance and muscle strength. Abdominal body image was measured through the shape concern questions from The Eating Disorder Examination questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0). Demographic and other descriptive variables are presented as means with standard deviations (SD) or as frequencies with percentages. Chi-square test of independence and independent sample t-tests were used to compare differences between women with and without abdominal protrusion for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.
RESULTS
Our sample consisted of 460 women. Knowledge about DRA was reported by 415/440 (94.3%) women. A total of 73.3% reported to have been worried during pregnancy about abdominal appearance postpartum. Mean degree of concern about present abdominal appearance was 5.5/10 (SD 2.4). Almost 80% experienced weaker abdominal muscles than pre-pregnancy. Ninety-six women (20.9%) reported a protrusion along the midline of their abdomen. Significantly more women with protrusion reported weaker abdominal muscles than women without protrusion. The most frequent treatment women with protrusion reported were exercises for the abdominal muscles (92.6%). Mean score on the EDE-Q, shape concern questions, was higher in women with reported protrusion (mean score: 2.37 (SD 1.6) than women without protrusion (mean score: 2.14 (SD 1.4), p = 0.175.
CONCLUSION
Primiparous women are concerned about abdominal appearance both during pregnancy and after birth. Those reporting abdominal protrusion are less satisfied with their abdominal appearance and they report weaker abdominal muscles than women without protrusion. This study may contribute to improved knowledge about women`s health concerns, and assessment of DRA should be part of routine follow-up of postpartum women.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Rectus Abdominis; Diastasis, Muscle; Postpartum Period; Abdominal Muscles; Muscle Strength; Abdomen
PubMed: 36324105
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-022-02009-0