Differences in the elastic modulus of the lumbar muscles between female athletes with and without low back pain
Takayuki Miyamori1, Taiki Saito2, Masashi Aoyagi3
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, 2-1-1, Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Graduate school of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, 1-1, Hirakagakuendai Inzai-shi, Chiba 270-1695, Japan; Graduate school of Health Science, Juntendo University, 2-1-1, Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
Background:
Low back pain is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder affecting performance and sports participation among athletes and is more prevalent among female athletes. Evaluating the stiffness of the lumbar muscles is important for understanding the pathophysiology of low back pain. Therefore, this study examined the differences in stiffness of the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscles between female university athletes with and without low back pain.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at a single centre, the university research laboratory. Twenty female university athletes with low back pain or a history of low back pain and 20 without low back pain participated in this study. The shear elastic moduli of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles were evaluated in the prone (to relax the muscles) and sitting with 35° of trunk flexion (to stretch the muscles) positions using shear wave ultrasound imaging equipment.
Findings:
The low back pain group showed significantly greater shear elastic modulus in the multifidus in both prone and sitting positions than the non-low back pain group. There were no differences in the erector spinae muscle between the two groups at either position.
Interpretation:
These results provide new insights into the microscopic characteristics of low back pain pathophysiology in young female athletes. Stiffness assessment using shear wave elastography will help provide a specific treatment strategy for female athletes with low back pain or a history of low back pain.
Related Concept Videos
Strain and Elastic Modulus
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
Elastin is Responsible for Tissue Elasticity
Ligaments and tendons are made of dense regular connective tissue, but in ligaments not all fibers are parallel. Dense regular elastic tissue contains elastin fibers and...
Elasticity in Concrete
Bending of Members Made of Several Materials
Hooke's Law determines stress in each material, stating that stress is proportional to strain but varies due to each...
Hooke's Law


