The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare with rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) abdominal wall muscle thickness and interrecti distance (IRD) between elite and amateur basketball players. A sample of 32 basketball players (age: 23.0 ± 8.5; height: 1.89 ± 14.25 m; weight: 86.6 ± 15.5 kg; body mass index: 22.8 ± 2.6 kg/m 2 ) was divided in two groups: professional elite and amateur players. A diagnostic ultrasound tool with a 7-14 MHz range linear transducer was used for B mode ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound images of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrAb), and rectus anterior (RA) muscles as well as IRD were measured and analyzed by ImageJ software. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) with greater height, weight, and Nijmegen scores were shown in favor of the elite basketball players compared to the amateur basketball players. Ultrasound measurements of the abdominal wall muscles showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) for increased IRD and left TrAb thickness and decreased right and left EO thickness in favor of the elite versus amateur basketball players. The rest of the measurements did not show any statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Increased IRD and TrAb thickness and reduced EO thickness may be shown in elite versus amateur basketball players.

SUMMARY The purpose of this study was to assess and compare with rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) the perimuscular connective tissue (PMCT) and interrecti distance (IRD) between elite and amateur basketball players. A sample of 22 healthy basketball players was included and divided into two groups: elite basketball players from Spanish 1st division (n = 11) and amateur basketball players from an entertainment Spanish division (n = 11). Ultrasound images of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrAb), rectus anterior (RA) and IRD PMCT were measured and analysed by the ImageJ software. Measurements of abdominal wall muscles PMCT present statistically differences (P < .05) for an increase of perimuscular connective tissue of external oblique (PMCTEO), perimuscular connective tissue of transversus abdominis (PMCTTA) of the left side and an increase of PMCTEO on the right side in favor of the elite group. Rather, the study showed statistically differences (P < .05) for a decrease of perimuscular connective tissue between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis (PMCTIO-TA), and a decrease in PMCT total summation of the left side with elite group in respect to amateur group. This study reported an increase of left PMCTEO, left PMCTTAA, right PMCTEO as well as a decrease of left PMCTIO-TA and in PMCT total summation on the left side.

Introducción: El valgo dinámico de rodilla es uno de los principales factores de riesgo de lesión de deportes de impacto como el Baloncesto. Mejorar los sistemas de análisis de identificación de los factores de riesgo y los protocolos de prevención de lesiones se ha convertido en uno de los objetivos principales del fisioterapeuta deportivo, con el objetivo de disminuir el riesgo de lesión del deportista.Material y Métodos: Se analizó la distribución de las presiones plantares y los ángulos de alineación de los segmentos corporales en el plano frontal durante el Single-Leg-Squat Test en 10 sujetos deportistas de élite, con el objetivo de y observar la modificación a corto plazo  asociada a la activación isométrica del glúteo medio y la musculatura intrínseca de la planta del pie.Resultados: Variaciones significativas en el aumento de la presión plantar del primer metatarsiano se registraron tras la activación del glúteo medio y de la musculatura intrínseca del pie. No se obtuvieron resultados significativos en la modificación de los ángulos de alineación en el plano frontal.Conclusiones: Un aumento de la presión plantar de la cabeza del primer metatarsiano puede relacionarse con una mayor estabilidad del miembro, mediante la activación del glúteo medio y de la musculatura intrínseca del pie. Son necesarios estudios con muestras más amplias que correlacionen los datos obtenidos en una muestra más homogénea.