TABLE 3.
Comparison of Multifidus and Erector Spinae Muscles Between Women and Men at Each Vertebral Level
| Muscle/Measure/Spinal Level | Women (n = 65)* | Men (n = 37)* | P Value | Partial η2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multifidus | ||||
| MFI | ||||
| L2 | 0.45 (0.44,0.47) | 0.43 (0.40,0.45) | .062 | 0.036 |
| L3 | 0.49 (0.47,0.51) | 0.43 (0.41,0.61) | <.001 | 0.139 |
| L4 | 0.58 (0.56,0.60) | 0.51 (0.48,0.53) | <.001 | 0.184 |
| L5 | 0.55 (0.53,0.57) | 0.48 (0.45,0.51) | <.001 | 0.128 |
| rmCSA, cm2 | ||||
| L2 | 1.70 (1.54,1.86) | 2.15 (1.93,2.37) | .002 | 0.099 |
| L3 | 2.46 (2.29,2.63) | 2.92 (2.68,3.16) | .003 | 0.090 |
| L4 | 3.58 (3.32,3.85) | 4.91 (4.55,5.28) | <.001 | 0.257 |
| L5 | 4.30 (4.02,4.57) | 5.30 (4.92,5.68) | <.001 | 0.153 |
| Erector spinae | ||||
| MFI | ||||
| L2 | 0.44 (0.43,0.46) | 0.44 (0.42,0.46) | .746 | 0.001 |
| L3 | 0.47 (0.46,0.49) | 0.45 (0.42,0.47) | .064 | 0.035 |
| L4 | 0.52 (0.50,0.54) | 0.47 (0.44,0.49) | .001 | 0.100 |
| rmCSA, cm2 | ||||
| L2 | 8.89 (8.38,9.39) | 12.27 (11.58,12.96) | <.001 | 0.382 |
| L3 | 8.45 (7.97,8.93) | 11.57 (10.92,12.23) | <.001 | 0.370 |
| L4 | 6.36 (5.976.75) | 8.44 (790,8.97) | <.001 | 0.280 |
Abbreviations: MFI, muscle-to-fat index; rmCSA, relative muscle cross-sectional area.
*
Values are mean (95% confidence interval) after adjusting for age and body mass index.