No relation between pelvic belt tests and abdominal muscle thickness behavior in athletes with long-standing groin pain. Measurements with ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether abdominal muscle thickness in athletes with long-standing adduction-related groin pain (LAGP) differs between subgroups with a positive or no response to a pelvic belt. The response to a pelvic belt is defined positive in case of a decrease > or = 1 on a Likert pain scale (0-10) during the squeeze test (SQT) or a decrease > or = 1 on the active straight leg raise (ASLR) test score (0-10).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Physical therapy practice.


METHODS
Fifty athletes with LAGP.


METHODS
Squeeze test and ASLR test.


METHODS
First, the effect of a pelvic belt on pain during the SQT and the ASLR test score was evaluated. Then, thickness of m. transversus abdominis (TA) and m. obliquus internus (OI) was measured using ultrasound during rest, ASLR left and right, and SQT.


RESULTS
Of the 50 participants, 25 (50%) experienced a decrease in pain during the SQT when wearing a pelvic belt and 10 (20%) improved in ASLR performance with a pelvic belt. Thickness of TA and OI at rest (both cases P > .08) and relative thickness compared with rest during tasks (in all cases P > .12) revealed no significant difference when comparing the 2 subgroups based on the belt response during the SQT or ASLR.


CONCLUSIONS
Using these methods, abdominal muscle thickness behavior in athletes with LAGP did not differ between the subgroups based on a positive or no response to a pelvic belt. However, the ultrasound method used may not have been sensitive enough to reveal differences between groups.
Jansen
Jaap
J
Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, H.P. Q05.4.304, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands. jjansen4@umcutrecht.nl
Mens
Jan
J
Backx
Frank
F
Stam
Henk
H
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D010388:Pelvis; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult