Activation asymmetry of the lateral abdominal muscles in response to neurodevelopmental traction technique in children with pelvic asymmetry

Abstract

Study aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate asymmetry of activation of lateral abdominal muscles (LAM) in response to neurodevelopmental traction technique in children with pelvic asymmetry. Material and methods: Measurements of LAM activation asymmetry were performed during traction with the force of 5% body weight in two experimental conditions: 1) in neutral position, 2) in 20° posterior trunk inclination. Twenty-three healthy children with pelvic asymmetry participated in the study. To evaluate LAM activation asymmetry ultrasound technology was employed (two Mindray DP660 devices (Mindray, Shenzhen, China)). Activation asymmetry indices for each individual LAM were calculated. Results: The magnitude of LAM activation asymmetry indexes formed a gradient, with the most profound transversus abdominis (TrA) showing the greatest asymmetry, and the most superficial obliquus externus – the smallest. The inter-muscle differences were most pronounced between the TrA and the two more superficial oblique muscles. There were no correlation between the magnitude of pelvic asymmetry and LAM activation asymmetry. Conclusions: During the neurodevelopmental traction technique there is a difference in individual LAM activation symmetry, with deeper muscles showing greater asymmetry. The activation asymmetry of the LAM does not seem to be associated with the pelvic asymmetry. Results are similar to those recorded in earlier studies in samples where no pelvic asymmetry were subjected to analysis.

Static pelvic asymmetry is not linked to activation asymmetry of the lateral abdominal muscles and body weight distribution asymmetry on lower extremities

“…Moreover, TrA showed the most variable level of activation in comparison with other LAMs (ranges of 184% in the S group and 191% in the A group). This is in line with the results of Biały et al (2019), Gnat and Biały 2015), Gnat et al (2020), Gogola et al (2016Gogola et al ( , 2018, Kim et al (2013), andPolaczek andSzlachta (2023).…”

“…After completing the measurement procedure, we gathered three images of the LAM in the relaxed position and three images during abdominal bracing for both the left and right sides of the body. The thickness of each individual LAM in each condition was measured as described in detail by Gnat et al (2012) and others (Gogola et al, 2016(Gogola et al, , 2018Polaczek & Szlachta, 2023; see Figure 3). The mean thickness measured on all three images in the relaxed position Gnat et al, 2012) showing three layers of lateral abdominal muscles.…”