The Effect Thoracolumbar Fascia on the Abdominal Muscle

Completed

• Conditions: Abdominal Muscle; Posture; Muscle Strength
• Interventions: Other: ultrasonographic measurement of abdominal muscle thickness at four positions

• Registration Number: NCT04113642
• Lead Sponsor: Koç University

Brief Summary

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

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-03-01
• Primary Completion: 2019-03-29
• Study Completion: 2019-03-29
• Status Verified: 2019-10
• Study First Submitted: 2019-10-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-10-01
• Study First Posted: 2019-10-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-18
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
single group	ultrasonographic measurement of abdominal muscle thickness at four positions	healthy subjects

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in ultrasonographic thickness of abdominal muscles	1 day (Change of muscle thickness from rest to exercise positions)	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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Koc University School of Medicine; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey