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D. Seipelt1, S. Peer2, E. Schmutzhard1
1Medical University, Neurology, Innsbruck, Austria, 2Medical University, Radiology, Innsbruck, Austria
Background: The stabilizing function of the transverse abdominal muscle (TrA) during movements in healthy has been confirmed in several studies. Our experiences applying sensorimotor facilitation by V. Janda induced us to follow-up the response of transversus abdominis muscles (TrA) to active plantar foot muscle tensioning.
Purpose: Proof of a response of the TrA triggered by tensioning the plantar muscles in healthy would have implications for supporting techniques to train static and dynamic control of the spine.
Methods: The cross-sectional study investigated 20 healthy (aged 34.3 ± 12.2) from different professions and a BMI ≤30 split into groups of ten according to their level of sports activity and matched for gender and age.
By 2D real-time-ultrasound shortening and thickening of the TrA and thickening of the obliques on each side were measured in supine, twice at rest and twice during activation of the plantar muscles.
By 2D real-time-ultrasound shortening and thickening of the TrA and thickening of the obliques on each side were measured in supine, twice at rest and twice during activation of the plantar muscles.
Results: In both measurements a significant difference was identified in thickening and shortening of the TrA between rest and during plantar contraction on both sides (p<001) but no significant difference in thickening of the obliques (p=0.223 right, p=0.827 left). This provides evidence of a contraction of TrA triggered by plantar tensioning. With respect to sex and age no significant differences of shortening and thickening of the TrA and thickening of the obliques between rest and activation were seen. With regard to sports activity the repeated measurements showed a significant difference of thickening of the TrA (p=0.047 right, p=0.003, left).
Conclusion(s): The results indicate a contraction of the TrA during active plantar muscles tensioning in healthy.
Implications: The response of the TrA during active plantar muscles tensioning could support techniques to train control of the spine in static and dynamic functions. Our results in healthy could also be used for comparisons with results of further studies with low back pain patients.
Funding, acknowledgements: The study was unfunded
Keywords: TrA, 2D real-time-ultrasound, foot
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Medizinischen Universität Innsbruck
Committee: Ethikkommission
Ethics number: Protocol Number 284/4.20
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
