title: The impact of the neurodevelopmental traction technique on activation of lateral abdominal muscles in children aged 11-13 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the activation of lateral abdominal muscles (LAM) in response to neurodevelopmental traction technique as assessed by ultrasounds as well as to compare the effects of different traction forces.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An experiment with repeated measurements of the dependent variables was conducted. Thirty-seven children (22 girls) participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements of LAM thickness (indicating LAM activation) were performed bilaterally during traction of 5% body weight: 1) in neutral position, 2) in 20° posterior trunk inclination; during traction of 15% body weight: 3) in neutral position, 4) in 20° posterior trunk inclination. The ultrasound technology was employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When applying the lighter traction the superficial LAM (external and internal oblique muscles) showed significant changes. The mean thickness of both muscles during traction increased (both p < 0.001). The deepest transversus abdominis showed no response (p > 0.05). Stronger traction elicited smaller changes. External and internal oblique muscles showed significant increases (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). Transversus abdominis became less thick during stronger traction (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The neurodevelopmental traction technique elicits the changes in LAM thickness in children with typical development. The superficial LAM show more distinct responses than the profound LAM. Stronger traction induces smaller LAM thickness changes than lighter traction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiotherapy and Special Methods of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka University of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gogola
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiotherapy and Special Methods of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka University of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.|Motion Analysis Laboratory, The Jerzy Kukuczka University of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gnat
authors.affiliation: MSc Student, Faculty of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka University of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dziub
authors.affiliation: MSc Student, Faculty of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka University of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Michalina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gwóźdź
authors.affiliation: MSc Student, Faculty of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka University of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaborowska
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D060726:Torso / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D014143:Traction; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Neurodevelopmental treatment; reliability; traction technique; ultrasound