Ultrasonography of the deep abdominal muscles at rest and during
the drawing-in maneuver: A comparative study of Japanese adolescent vs. adult
soccer players
Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation, School of Allied Health
Sciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan | [b] Department of Rehabilitation, University Kitasato
Institute Hospital, Kitasato, Tokyo, Japan | [c] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Graduate School
of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan | [d] Department of Rehabilitation, Nippon Koukan Hospital,
Kanagawa, Japan | [e] Faculty of Sports Sciences, Waseda University,
Saitama, Japan
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the
characteristics of abdominal deep muscles in adolescent soccer players. METHODS: Participants were 53 soccer players from junior high school
and 14 adult soccer players. The deep abdominal muscles of both sides were
imaged by ultrasonography. Abdominal muscles on the dominant leg side were
selected as the targets of measurements, and measurements of the transversus
abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) muscle were conducted. The muscle
thickness of these muscles was measured at rest and during contraction (while
drawing-in of the abdominal wall) and served as the basis for comparing the
adolescent and adult players. RESULTS: While no significant inter-group differences were noted in
the thickness of the TrA or IO muscle at rest, a significant difference was
observed during the drawing-in maneuver. CONCLUSION: The deep abdominal muscles of adolescent soccer players
have not likely reached full maturity.
