The importance of body mass normalisation for ultrasound measurement of the transversus abdominis muscle: The effect of age, gender and sport practice

Background: Core muscle activation is an effective intervention for the management of Low Back Pain (LBP). This study developed new feedback for detecting activation of the transversus abdominis muscle in the lumbar spine. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the feedback device for transversus abdominis muscle contraction. Methods: The participants in this study were 20 healthy males and females (aged 24.1 ± 6.8 years). The feedback sensor was attached to the lumbar support at the front of the trunk. The participants performed an abdominal drawing-in maneuver in order to activate the transversus abdominis muscle, and values from the feedback sensor were collected at the same time. Ultrasound imaging of the transversus abdominis muscle was also collected simultaneously. The feedback sensor collected values at different clinical levels of the pressure biofeedback unit at 64, 66, 68, and 70 mmHg. The protocol was repeated with a 24-hr interval. Intra-class correlation coefficient, coefficient of variation and standard error of measurements were used to examine reliability. The validity of the values obtained from the relationship between the feedback sensor and transversus abdominis muscle thickness was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Results: Test–retest reliability of the feedback sensor was excellent (ICC = 0.946, CV = 2.6%, SEMs = 0.54%). Values of the feedback sensor reported a significantly moderate correlation with the gold standard ultrasound measurement (r = - 0.514, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The feedback device demonstrated potential reliability and validity for clinical use by indicating activation of the transversus abdominis muscle.

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Long-term outcomes and quality of life assessment after posterior component separation with transversus abdominis muscle release (TAR)

Surgical Endoscopy ◽

10.1007/s00464-021-08402-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

E. E. Sadava ◽

M. E. Peña ◽

C. Bras Harriott ◽

M. A. Casas ◽

F. Schlottmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Component Separation ◽

Transversus Abdominis ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Quality Of Life Assessment ◽

Posterior Component Separation ◽

Transversus Abdominis Muscle

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The influence of Transversus Abdominis Muscle Release (TAR) for complex incisional hernia repair on the intraabdominal pressure and pulmonary function

Hernia ◽

10.1007/s10029-021-02395-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

V. Oprea ◽

S. Mardale ◽

F. Buia ◽

D. Gheorghescu ◽

R. Nica ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Incisional Hernia ◽

Hernia Repair ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Incisional Hernia Repair ◽

Transversus Abdominis ◽

Intraabdominal Pressure ◽

Transversus Abdominis Muscle

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Comparison of the Abdominal Wall Muscle Thickness in Female Rugby Players Versus Non-Athletic Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56010008 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vanesa Abuín-Porras ◽

Mónica de la Cueva-Reguera ◽

Pedro Benavides-Morales ◽

Rocío Ávila-Pérez ◽

Blanca de la Cruz-Torres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abdominal Wall ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Muscular Activity ◽

Transversus Abdominis ◽

Control Group ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sport Practice ◽

Ultrasound Evaluation ◽

Rugby Players

Background and Objectives: Rugby players engage in demanding, high loading muscular activity in the spine. Study of the abdominal wall architecture in female rugby athletes is relevant to the possible muscular asymmetry secondary to sport practice and the relationship between the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor muscles. Activation of the transversus abdominis (TrAb) generates an increase in the bladder neck muscle. Moreover, an increased interrecti distance (IRD) is related to urinary incontinence and has a higher prevalence in athletic women. The aim of the present study was to compare and quantify, with ultrasound imaging (USI), the thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrAb), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), and interrecti distance (IRD) in female rugby players versus non-athletic women in order to improve upon existing knowledge about abdominal wall configuration in female athletes. Materials and Methods: A sample of 32 women was recruited at the Universidad Europea Research Lab and divided in two groups: a rugby group (n = 16) and a non-athletic women group (n = 16). The thickness of the TrAb, EO, IO, RA, and IRD were assessed by USI in both groups. Results: There were statistically significant differences for the ultrasound evaluation thickness of the right TrAb (p = 0.011; d = 0.10), EO (p = 0.045; d = 0.74), IO (p = 0.003; d = 1.32), and RA (p = 0.001; d = 1.38) showing a thickness increase for the rugby group with respect to the control group. For the IRD thickness, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between groups. Conclusions: An increased TrAb, IO, EO, and RA thickness may be shown in female rugby players versus non-athletic women. Nevertheless, statistically relevant differences were not found for the IRD between both groups.

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