The Effect Thoracolumbar Fascia on the Abdominal Muscle

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the thickness of abdominal muscles during activation of thoracolumbar fascia through contracting the gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi muscles. The hypothesis was that the thickness of transversus abdominis and internal oblique would show greater increase when abdominal contraction was performed with simultaneous contraction of gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi (bridge with arm extension) than that of abdominal contraction alone (abdominal hollowing) or abdominal contraction with simultaneous activation of only gluteus maximus (bridge). Thirty healthy subjects (15 women, 15 men) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Thickness of transversus abdominis, internal oblique and external oblique muscles were evaluated using ultrasound at rest and during three exercise positions: abdominal hollowing in neutral spine, bridge, and bridge with isometric arm extension using ultrasound device equipped with 55 mm convex array transducer

Detailed Description
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Spinal stabilization is crucial in maintaining healthy posture. Core muscle activation could be enhanced using thoracolumbar fascia for this stability. Core, also called 'power house', is a muscular box built from abdominal muscles in the front, paraspinal, and gluteal muscles at the back, diaphragm at the top, and pelvic floor muscles at the bottom. Deep core muscles control intersegmental motion and respond to postural and extrinsic load changes and consist of transversus abdominis, internal oblique, multifidi and pelvic floor muscles. Myofascial system links latissimus dorsi and gluteus maximus through thoracolumbar fascia causing tensegrity-like network in the whole body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the thickness of abdominal muscles during activation of thoracolumbar fascia through contracting the gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi muscles. The hypothesis was that the thickness of transversus abdominis and internal oblique would show greater increase when abdominal contraction was performed with simultaneous contraction of gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi (bridge with arm extension) than that of abdominal contraction alone (abdominal hollowing) or abdominal contraction with simultaneous activation of only gluteus maximus (bridge). Thirty healthy subjects (15 women, 15 men) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Thickness of transversus abdominis, internal oblique and external oblique muscles were evaluated using ultrasound at rest and during three exercise positions: abdominal hollowing in neutral spine, bridge, and bridge with isometric arm extension using ultrasound device equipped with 55 mm convex array transducer.

Official Title
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The Effect of Activation of Thoracolumbar Fascia on the Thickness of Abdominal Muscles; an Ultrasonographic Study

Conditions
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Abdominal Muscle, Posture, Muscle Strength

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: ultrasonographic measurement of abdominal muscle thickness at four positions


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age more than18 years volunteering for the study absence of back or abdominal problems Exclusion Criteria: recent history of lower back pain previous history of trauma or surgery including back, abdominal, or pelvic region pregnancy congenital or acquired spinal disorders

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| single group<br>healthy subjects | Other: ultrasonographic measurement of abdominal muscle thickness at four positions<br>* Thickness of transversus abdominis, internal oblique and external oblique muscles were evaluated using ultrasound at rest and during abdominal hollowing, bridge, and bridge with isometric arm extension.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in ultrasonographic thickness of abdominal muscles | The ultrasound transducer was placed over an intersection point of two imaginary lines: one line passing horizontally from the level of navel and the second line running vertically through the anterior superior iliac spine. Subsequent images were obtained at rest, during abdominal hollowing, bridge and bridge with arm extension. Thicknesses of the muscles were measured using onscreen caliper. Results were recorded in millimeters. | 1 day (Change of muscle thickness from rest to exercise positions) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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abdominal muscles, ultrasonography, exercise, lumbar fascia