Imaging-based assessment of rectus abdominis muscle thickness in an adult population: evaluating possible anthropometric relationships

Abstract

Introduction: Very little attention has been paid to muscle architecture in the Sub-Saharan African environment, and the rectus abdominis muscle, being a stabilising agent in the trunk, should not be left out. Considering the incidence of trunk musculoskeletal discomfort, it is necessary to assess the rectus abdominis muscle. Aim of the research: To assess the thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle in an apparently healthy adult population using ultrasound and to evaluate its possible relationship with important anthropometric variables. Material and methods: A total of 120 healthy subjects made up of 60 males and 60 females, who gave their written consent, were recruited for this study. B-mode ultrasound was used to assess the rectus abdominis muscle. Anthropometric variables were also assessed. Results:The results show that the rectus abdominis thickness (RAT) was 14.68 ±2.92 mm and 14.37 ±2.74 mm for the right (RRAT) and left (LRAT) sides, respectively. The males had significantly thicker muscles than the females (p = 0.004) and the RAT correlated positively with age, weight, height, body mass index, body surface area, waist circumference, and conicity index. Conclusions: These results show robust myoanthropometric relationships that will assist surgeons in reconstructive procedures involving the muscle. They will also serve as a guidepost in the biomechanical assessment of the muscle in lifting sports for an African population, in the study of muscle flaps, and in the general evaluation of trunk mass.

Assessment of Rectus Abdominis muscle thickness during isometric trunk and leg lifting exercises using extended field of view (EFOV) ultrasound

“…Measures of abdominal muscles' thickness changes with US, correlates well with EMG activity of the muscle [23] and thus, can be used as a surrogate index of muscle activation. A few research studies have examined RA muscle atrophy and contraction intensity during exercise using US [5,6,24,25]. Kim et al [5] found that both trunk and leg lift significantly increased RA thickness compared to rest and concluded that both types of exercise are effective for activating this muscle.…”