Changes in lateral abdominal muscle thickness during an abdominal drawing-in maneuver in individuals with and without low back pain

Res Sports Med. 2011 Oct;19(4):271-82. doi: 10.1080/15438627.2011.608053.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare lateral abdominal muscle thickness changes in individuals with and without low back pain (LBP) during an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) using ultrasound imaging. Twenty individuals (13 females and 7 males, average age 40.1 ± 13.4) with stabilization classification LBP and 19 controls (10 females and 9 males, average age 30.3 ± 8.7) participated in this study. Bilateral measurements were made using ultrasound imaging to determine changes in thickness of the transversus abdominus (TrA) and external and internal oblique (EO+IO) muscles during an ADIM. There were no significant differences in relaxed muscle thickness values or contraction ratios for the TrA or EO+IO between groups or side. Individuals with stabilization classification LBP demonstrated no difference in lateral abdominal muscle thickness during an ADIM when compared with controls without LBP when using a pressure biofeedback device to monitor stability.

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Muscles / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abdominal Muscles / physiology*
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biofeedback, Psychology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / physiopathology*
  • Low Back Pain / rehabilitation*
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Muscle Strength / physiology*
  • Ultrasonography