Abstract
Background
Differences in the function of the anterolateral abdominal muscles have been the subject
of much investigation, but primarily using electromyography. Recently changes in thickness
of transversus abdominis and internal oblique measured from real-time ultrasound images
have been shown to represent activity within these muscles. However it is still unclear
if such a change in thickness in external oblique similarly represents activity within
that muscle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between
change in thickness and muscle activity in the external oblique using real-time ultrasound
and surface electromyography.
Methods
Simultaneous measurements of electromyography and real-time ultrasound images of external
oblique were studied in up to 24 subjects during two tasks compared to the muscle
at rest (1) isometric trunk rotation and (2) drawing in the lower abdomen.
Findings
Changes in muscle thickness correlated significantly with electromyography during
isometric trunk rotation in the majority of subjects but with a significant difference
between subjects. In contrast, the relationship between change in thickness and electrical
activity in the muscle when drawing in the lower abdomen was significant in less than
50% of subjects and the muscle often got thinner.
Interpretation
Thickness changes of external oblique can be used as a valid indicator of electromyography
activity during isometric trunk rotation, though the relationship is not as good as
previously published data for transversus abdominis. Thickness changes of external
oblique measured during lower abdominal drawing in cannot be used to detect activity
within this muscle.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 31, 2007
Accepted:
July 10,
2007
Received:
January 5,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
