Table 5.
Asymmetry of cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of trunk muscles in athletes with and without LDD
| CSAs of trunk muscles (mm2 kg−1) | LDD (69 athletes) | Non-LDD (82 athletes) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rectus abdominis | |||
| Left | 12.3 ± 3.1 (11.5–13.0) | 13.3 ± 2.9 (12.7–14.0) | 0.031 |
| Right | 11.8 ± 3.1 (11.8–12.6) | 13.2 ± 3.1 (12.5–13.8) | 0.011 |
| p value | 0.084 | 0.457 | |
| Obliques | |||
| Left | 44.7 ± 8.7 (42.6–46.8) | 47.3 ± 7.5 (45.7–48.9) | 0.053 |
| Right | 43.8 ± 8.1 (41.8–45.7) | 46.7 ± 7.3 (45.1–48.3) | 0.022 |
| p value | 0.040 | 0.224 | |
| Psoas | |||
| Left | 18.3 ± 4.4 (17.3–19.4) | 19.4 ± 4.4 (18.4–20.3) | 0.155 |
| Right | 18.5 ± 4.1 (17.5–19.5) | 19.7 ± 4.0 (18.8–20.6) | 0.073 |
| p value | 0.542 | 0.284 | |
| Quadratus lumborum | |||
| Left | 23.3 ± 17.7 (19.1–27.6) | 28.3 ± 19.3 (24.0–32.5) | 0.105 |
| Right | 21.8 ± 17.2 (17.7–25.9) | 27.9 ± 19.0 (23.7–32.1) | 0.043 |
| p value | <0.001 | 0.359 | |
| Erector spinae plus multifidus | |||
| Left | 37.9 ± 6.5 (36.4–39.5) | 41.0 ± 5.7 (39.8–42.3) | 0.002 |
| Right | 38.1 ± 7.2 (36.3–39.8) | 41.0 ± 6.0 (39.7–42.4) | 0.006 |
| p value | 0.647 | 0.959 | |
| Total area | |||
| Left | 125.9 ± 19.4 (121.2–130.5) | 134.2 ± 16.1 (130.6–137.7) | 0.005 |
| Right | 124.0 ± 19.1 (119.5–128.6) | 133.7 ± 15.6 (130.3–137.1) | 0.001 |
| p value | 0.007 | 0.582 | |
Data are presented as mean ± SD (95 % CI). All relative CSAs are normalized by their body weight
LDD lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration