An Investigation of the Association between Transversus Abdominis Myofascial Structure and Activation with Age in Healthy Adults using Ultrasound Imaging

Gaudreault, Nathaly; Benoit-Piau, Justine; Wingerden, Jan Paul van; Stecco, Carla; Daigle, Frédérique; Léonard, Guillaume

doi:10.26603/001c.25168

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(66 reference statements)

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“…However, our results also show that young adults had significantly greater relative average TrA thickness than the middle-aged group in all exercises. This finding is consistent with previous research [ 6 , 30 , 31 ] as well as with a systematic review that has shown that younger individuals can recruit TrA higher than older individuals [ 40 ]. Our findings may be explained by several factors, such as differences in neuromuscular control, muscle fiber type composition, or hormonal status between younger and older individuals [ 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Previous studies have reported conflicting results on which exercises elicit higher TrA recruitment, such as upper or lower limb lifts from the quadruped position [ 25 ], prone plank [ 26 ], bridge exercises with abdominal bracing [ 27 , 28 ], or planks with opposite arm–leg elevation [ 29 ]. Moreover, some studies have suggested that there may be age-related differences in TrA activation [ 30 , 31 ]. A study by Kellis et al [ 6 ] showed that young adults had the greatest relative transversus abdominis thickness during contraction compared to middle-aged adults, adolescents, and children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Transversus Abdominis Ultrasound Thickness during Popular Trunk–Pilates Exercises in Young and Middle-Aged Women

Tsartsapakis

Gerou

Kouthouris

et al. 2023

JFMK

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The transversus abdominis (TrA) is a core muscle that contributes to functional mobility and lumbar stability. This study aimed to compare the changes in TrA thickness during different Pilates exercises, and to identify the exercise that elicited the greatest TrA activation. Forty-four healthy women were divided into two groups: young (25–35 years old) and middle-aged (36–55 years old). TrA thickness was assessed by ultrasound while the participants performed five Pilates exercises: basic position, hundred, hip roll, side plank, and dead bug. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that the dead bug exercise induced a significantly higher increase in TrA thickness (relative to rest) than the other exercises (p < 0.05). The young group also showed a significantly higher overall TrA thickness than the middle-aged group (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that the dead bug exercise is the most effective for enhancing TrA activation among the Pilates exercises tested. The basic position and the hundred exercises can be used as warm-up exercises before performing more challenging exercises such as the hip roll, the side plank, and the dead bug. The sequence of exercises can be similar for both young and middle-aged women.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transversus Abdominis Ultrasound Thickness during Popular Trunk–Pilates Exercises in Young and Middle-Aged Women

Tsartsapakis

Gerou

Kouthouris

et al. 2023

JFMK

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“…Aging is associated with a decline in muscle thickness, mass and strength, a decrease in muscle fibre volume and an increase in connective tissue, such as the epimysium fascia (Frontera, 2017; Gaudreault et al, 2021; Landi et al, 2017). These changes in the musculoskeletal structure and cells decrease the capacity of muscles to generate force (Şendur et al, 2020), and are also associated with decreased muscle stiffness, which is positively related to the contraction strength of the muscle (Akagi et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have demonstrated that muscle stiffness is significantly higher in younger versus older adults (Do et al, 2021). Gaudreault et al (2021) reported that TrA activation and thickness decreased with age, whereas connective tissue (epimysium fascia) increased, and Davies et al (2016) reported that TrA recruitment in older adults was significantly slower than that in younger adults. Core muscle deterioration also occurs with aging and may contribute to decreased TrA stiffness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between abdominal muscle stiffness, diaphragm thickness and peak expiratory flow in younger versus older adults

Lim

Lee

2023

Clin Physio Funct Imaging

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The present study aimed to evaluate forced expiration based on transverse abdominis (TrA) stiffness by identifying the relationship between TrA stiffness and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in both younger and older adults. We also assessed the relationship between diaphragm thickness and PEF. A total of 31 younger (21.24 ± 2.73 years) and 34 older (71.35 ± 5.26 years) adults were included in the present study. TrA muscle stiffness was measured at rest and during abdominal bracing using shear wave elastography. Diaphragm thickness was measured during deep inspiration and expiration using B‐mode ultrasound, and respiratory function was assessed by measuring PEF using a spirometer. We found that TrA stiffness during bracing was significantly lower in older than younger adults (p < 0.05). Similarly, the difference in absolute stiffness of the TrA when bracing versus at rest was significantly lower in older than younger adults (p < 0.05). Additionally, TrA stiffness during bracing was positively associated with PEF in the younger group (r = 0.483), while a very weak correlation was found in the older group (r = 0.172). Similarly, PEF was moderately correlated with diaphragm thickness during expiration as well as during changes between inspiration and expiration in the younger group (r = 0.405 and r = 0.403); however, no significant correlation was found in the older group. These findings of the present study indicate that the variations in PEF between younger and older adults may be due to age‐associated changes in the musculoskeletal structure and muscle fibre type.

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Comparison of transversus abdominis activation characteristics between healthy and chronic low back pain population during upright functional movement

Cai,

Gazali,

Lau

et al. 2023

BMR

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BACKGROUND: Previous literature suggests that transversus abdominis (TrA) activation is diminished in chronic low back pain (cLBP) subjects compared to healthy subjects in less-functional positions. However, few studies have investigated the effects of upright functional movement on TrA activation in cLBP individuals. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to compare TrA activation characteristics in healthy and cLBP subjects during the movement of double leg standing (DLS) to single leg standing (SLS) and to a 30∘ single leg quarter squat (QSLS). METHODS: TrA activation was determined by the percentage change in TrA thickness from DLS to SLS and DLS to QSLS. TrA thickness was measured in 14 healthy and 14 cLBP participants using ultrasound imaging with a probe holder at 20 mm and 30 mm from the fascia conjunction point. RESULTS: At both measurement points (20 and 30 mm), there were no significant main effects of body sides, lower limb movements and the interactions between them on TrA activations between the healthy and cLBP participants even after covariates were adjusted for (all p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggest the evaluation of TrA activation during upright functional movements as part of an assessment for cLBP management may not be suggested.

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An Investigation of the Association between Transversus Abdominis Myofascial Structure and Activation with Age in Healthy Adults using Ultrasound Imaging

Cited by 5 publications

References 47 publications

Transversus Abdominis Ultrasound Thickness during Popular Trunk–Pilates Exercises in Young and Middle-Aged Women

Transversus Abdominis Ultrasound Thickness during Popular Trunk–Pilates Exercises in Young and Middle-Aged Women

Association between abdominal muscle stiffness, diaphragm thickness and peak expiratory flow in younger versus older adults

Comparison of transversus abdominis activation characteristics between healthy and chronic low back pain population during upright functional movement

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