Clinical Assessment and Thickness Changes of the Oblique and Multifidus Muscles Using a Novel Screening Tool and...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Abdominal and trunk muscle training is common clinically, but optimal exercise selection for global and local stabilizer activation remains unclear.
• Effective activation strategies for deep and superficial core muscles are crucial for clinical practice and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the reliability of a novel clinical screening tool (sling screen) for abdominal and trunk muscle assessment.
• To compare the effects of a rotary-based exercise program versus a traditional core exercise program on abdominal and trunk muscle activation using the sling screen and musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Main Methods:

• Double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted in a sports medicine facility.
• Thirty-one healthy participants were randomized to a single-session rotary-based or traditional core exercise program.
• Muscle thickness via ultrasound and clinical muscle activation via the sling screen were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The rotary exercise group showed a significant increase in oblique muscle thickness; all participants increased multifidus thickness.
• Clinical assessment scores significantly improved in the rotary exercise group but not the traditional group.
• The sling screen demonstrated moderate to good reliability for assessing muscle activation changes.

Conclusions:

• A rotary-based exercise program may enhance oblique muscle thickness more effectively than traditional core exercises in young, healthy adults.
• The sling screen tool successfully identified exercise-induced muscle thickness changes.
• Further research is recommended to explore clinical applications, injury risk correlations, and diverse populations.