The association between size and symmetry of the lumbar multifidus muscle, and injuries in adolescent rugby union players

This study aimed to investigate the association between size and symmetry of the lumbar multifidus muscle, and season injuries in adolescent rugby union players. Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Pre-season assessment of the size (cross-sectional area) of the lumbar multifidus (L2-5) muscles us...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical therapy in sport 2023-03, Vol.60, p.98-103
Main Authors: Low, Timothy C., Mendis, M. Dilani, Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Hides, Julie A., Leung, Felix T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australian football
Cross-sectional area
Lordosis
Proprioception
Rugby
Sports injuries
Symmetry
Teenagers
Ultrasonic imaging
Ultrasound imaging
Upper limb injuries
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Summary:This study aimed to investigate the association between size and symmetry of the lumbar multifidus muscle, and season injuries in adolescent rugby union players. Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Pre-season assessment of the size (cross-sectional area) of the lumbar multifidus (L2-5) muscles using ultrasound imaging. Seventy-one adolescent rugby union players (aged 15–18 years). “Time-loss” injuries were recorded during the season and divided into four injury regions (head and neck, upper limb, trunk and lower limb). Thirty-nine injuries were recorded during the season. Players who sustained an upper limb injury during the season had smaller lumbar multifidus muscles at the L5 vertebral level (effect size = 0.7, p = 0.03) and asymmetry in muscle size at the L2 (p = 0.05) and L5 (p = 0.04) in the pre-season. There was no association between size of the lumbar multifidus muscle and other injuries (p > 0.05). Lumbar multifidus muscle size and symmetry may impact lumbopelvic control which may increase the risk of sustaining an upper limb injury during rugby union. Future research should aim to identify whether lumbar multifidus muscle size is a modifiable risk factor for rugby union injuries to guide future intervention programs. •Association between lumbopelvic muscles and injury in adolescent rugby union players.•Smaller size and asymmetry of lumbar multifidus was associated with upper limb injury.•Lumbar multifidus muscle morphology may influence injuries in rugby union players.
ISSN:1466-853X
1873-1600
DOI:10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.02.001