A neuromuscular strategy to prevent spinal torsion: Backward perturbation alters asymmetry of transversus abdominis muscle thickness into symmetry

Symmetric co-contraction of the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle is beneficial in terms of increasing trunk stability. The aim of this study was to investigate the symmetry of lateral abdominal muscle thickness during static and dynamic conditions. Fifteen male subjects (27.13 ± 5.51 years old) were instructed to sit on a chair and maintain upright posture. Every individual subject wore a jacket harness that could be backwardly attached to a 9-kg weight through a pulley system. An unexpected drop of the weight induced the transition from static to dynamic condition. The thickness of external oblique, internal oblique, and TrA muscles was measured with ultrasonography. Our results revealed more symmetry of TrA thickness during the dynamic condition (21% vs. 13%, p = 0.019) compared with the static. The symmetric muscle thickness of TrA during the dynamic condition is considered a result of more contraction on the non-dominant side. This phenomenon could be a possible strategy of deep abdominal muscles to prevent spinal torsion during sudden trunk perturbation.

► The thickness of lateral abdominal muscles between left and right sides is asymmetric in a sitting position. ► The asymmetric thickness between both transversus abdominous muscles decreases during unexpected backward perturbation. ► The asymmetry between both sides of external and internal obliques muscles show modest changes during the perturbation.