A1 Journal article (refereed)
Transversus abdominis and multifidus asymmetry in runners measured by MRI : a cross-sectional study (2019)


Mitchell, U. H., Johnson, A. W., Owen, P. J., Rantalainen, T., & Belavy, D. (2019). Transversus abdominis and multifidus asymmetry in runners measured by MRI : a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 5, Article e000556. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000556


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Mitchell, Ulrike H.; Johnson, A. Wayne; Owen, Patrick J.; Rantalainen, Timo; Belavy, Daniel

Journal or series: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

eISSN: 2055-7647

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 5

Article number: e000556

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.; British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000556

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/65702

Publication is parallel published: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6733389/


Abstract

Objective: The transversus abdominis muscle (TrA) is active during running as a secondary respiratory muscle and acts, together with the multifidus, as trunk stabiliser. The purpose of this study was to determine size and symmetry of TrA and multifidus muscles at rest and with contraction in endurance runners without low back pain.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: A medical imaging centre in Melbourne, Australia.
Participants: Thirty middle-aged (43years±7) endurance-trained male (n=18) and female (n=12) runners without current or history of low back pain.
Outcome measures: MRI at rest and with the core engaged. The TrA and multifidus muscles were measured for thickness and length (TrA) and anteroposterior and mediolateral thickness (multifidus). Muscle activation was extrapolated from rest to contraction and compared with the same and contralateral side. Paired t-tests were performed to compare sides and contraction status.
Results: Left and right TrA and multifidus demonstrated similar parameters at rest (p>0.05). However, with contraction, the right TrA and multifidus (in mediolateral direction) were 9.2% (p=0.038) and 42% (p<0.001) thicker, respectively, than their counterparts on the left. There was no TrA thickness side difference with contraction in left-handed participants (p=0.985). When stratified by sex, the contracted TrA on the right side remained 8.4% thicker, but it was no longer statistically significant (p=0.134). The side difference with contraction of the TrA became less with increasing training age.
Conclusions Right-handed long-term runners without low back pain exhibit a greater right side core muscle activation when performing an isometric contraction. This activation preference diminishes with increasing training age.


Keywords: running; muscles; abdomen; asymmetry; magnetic resonance imaging


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1


Last updated on 2024-08-01 at 16:37