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Background Most papers examining the lateral abdominal muscles (LAMs) and low back pain (LBP) are cross-sectional, with groups of participants being divided into a control and an LBP group. We hypothesized that morphological measurements of the LAMs in adolescent soccer players may predict future LBP incidence. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between the morphology of LAMs and LBP incidence rate among adolescent soccer players. Methods Ninety-seven adolescent male soccer players with no LBP at baseline were recruited into the prospective cohort study. The thickness of the LAMs was measured at baseline by ultrasound imaging in a supine rest position. Nine cases of LBP occurred during the follow-up 6-month observation. Results An obliquus internus (OI) asymmetry was related to increasing LBP risk (odds ratio = 19.99; 95%CI: 2.4–167.9). Spearman correlation also showed a linear relationship between OI asymmetry value and duration of LBP ( R = 0.75, p = 0.02). An OI side-to-side difference greater than 1.25 mm suggests possible LBP incidence in the 6-month observation among adolescent soccer players. Conclusion The morphological changes of the OI may be related to LBP’s incidence in adolescent soccer players. The presence of OI asymmetry increases the odds of LBP by at least 2.4 times. Hypertrophy of the OI on one side of the body may contribute to trunk muscle imbalance.

Objectives: To assess the correlation between the functional movement screen (FMS) and Y balance test (Y-BT) performance, and the self-reported hip/groin problems, and to compare healthy with hip/groin pain participants. Design: a cross-sectional study. Setting: Sports hall in a football club. Participants: 43 elite adolescent football (soccer) players Main Outcome: The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), Anterior, posterolateral and posteromedial distance of Y-BT, FMS score. Measures: Y balance and FMS test kit, HAGOS questionnaire. Results: The posterolateral, posteromedial distance and composite reach score of the Y-BT were lower in participants with hip/groin problems (p<0.05). FMS performance was similar in healthy and hip/groin groups. There was a weak correlation (r=0.32, p=0.03) between the HAGOS Activities of Daily Living subscale and FMSstabil. In the Y-BT the posterolateral reach was weakly correlated with Symptoms (r=0.35-0.44, p<0.02) and moderately correlated with Pain (r=0.44, p<0.01) subscales. Posteromedial direction reach with the right leg was weakly correlated with Symptoms (r=0.32, p=0.04) and Pain (r=0.39, p=0.01). The Y-BT composite score was moderately correlated with Symptoms and Pain (r=0.42-0.44, p<0.01). Conclusions: The Y-BT and the FMS subtests were weakly or moderately correlated with selfreported hip/groin problems. Thus, these tests should be investigated further in adolescent footballers because they may have potential to predict hip and groin problems.

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