A1 Journal article (refereed)
Axial loading and posture cues in contraction of transversus abdominis and multifidus with exercise (2020)

Owen, P. J., Rantalainen, T., Scheuring, R. A., & Belavy, D. L. (2020). Axial loading and posture cues in contraction of transversus abdominis and multifidus with exercise. Scientific Reports, 10, Article 11218. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67509-1

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Owen, Patrick J.; Rantalainen, Timo; Scheuring, Richard A.; Belavy, Daniel L.

Journal or series: Scientific Reports

eISSN: 2045-2322

Publication year: 2020

Publication date: 14/07/2020

Volume: 10

Article number: 11218

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67509-1

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/71190

Abstract

Astronauts are at increased risk of spine injury. With a view to developing training approaches for the muscles of the spine in microgravity, this study examined the effects of axial loading and postural cues on the contraction of transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus in supine lying using a novel exercise device (GravityFit). Thirty (18 males and 12 females) endurance-trained runners without a history of spinal pain aged 33–55 years were recruited. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed under one rest and five exercise conditions, which involved variations in axial loading and postural cues. Whole volume of the abdominal and lumbar paraspinal muscles was imaged and transversus abdominis thickness and length and multifidus anteroposterior and mediolateral thickness measured. Transversus abdominis contraction was greatest in the ‘stretch tall plus arm extension’ (length, − 15%, P < 0.001; thickness, + 19%, P < 0.001) and ‘stretch tall plus arm extension and thoracic cue’ (length, − 16%, P < 0.001; thickness, + 18%, P < 0.001) conditions. The contraction of multifidus was the greatest in the ‘arm extension and thoracic cue’ (anteroposterior, + 3.0%, P = 0.001; mediolateral, − 4.2%, P < 0.001) and ‘stretch tall plus arm extension and thoracic cue’ (anteroposterior, + 6.0%, P < 0.001; mediolateral, − 2.1%, P = 0.022) conditions. This study provides proof-of-principle for an exercise approach that may be used to facilitate the automatically contraction of the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles. Axial loading of the body, with or without arm loading, most consistently led to contraction of the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles, and regional differences existed in the contraction within the muscles.

Keywords: biomechanics; spine; muscles; strength training

Free keywords: spine injury

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1