BACKGROUND The lumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) plays a critical role to stabilize the spine. While low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in soccer players, few studies have examined LMM characteristics in this athletic population and their possible associations with LBP and lower limb injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to 1) investigate LMM characteristics in university soccer players and their potential association with LBP and lower limb injury; 2) examine the relationship between LMM characteristics and body composition measurements; and 3) examine seasonal changes in LMM characteristics. METHODS LMM ultrasound assessments were acquired in 27 soccer players (12 females, 15 males) from Concordia University during the preseason and assessments were repeated in 18 players at the end of the season. LMM cross-sectional area (CSA), echo-intensity and thickness at rest and during contraction (e.g. function) were assessed bilaterally in prone and standing positions, at the L5-S1 spinal level. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess the history of LBP and lower limb injury. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to acquire body composition measurements. RESULTS Side-to-side asymmetry of the LMM was significantly greater in males (p = 0.02). LMM thickness when contracted in the prone position (p = 0.04) and LMM CSA in standing (p = 0.02) were also significantly greater on the left side in male players. The LMM % thickness change during contraction in the prone position was significantly greater in players who reported having LBP in the previous 3-months (p < 0.001). LMM CSA (r = - 0.41, p = 0.01) and echo-intensity (r = 0.69, p < 0.001) were positively correlated to total % body fat. There was a small decrease in LMM thickness at rest in the prone position over the course of the season (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS The greater LMM contraction in players with LBP may be a maladaptive strategy to splint and project the spine. LMM morphology measurements were correlated to body composition. The results provide new insights with regards to LMM morphology and activation in soccer players and their associations with injury and body composition measurements.

中文翻译：

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下腰痛和下肢受伤对大学足球运动员腰部多裂肌形态和功能的影响。

背景技术腰多裂肌（LMM）在稳定脊柱方面起着关键作用。虽然腰背痛（LBP）在足球运动员中很常见，但很少有研究检查这种运动人群的LMM特征及其与LBP和下肢损伤的可能关系。因此，本研究的目的是：1）研究大学足球运动员的LMM特征及其与LBP和下肢损伤的潜在关系；2）检查LMM特性与身体成分测量值之间的关系；3）检查LMM特性的季节性变化。方法在季前赛期间，康科迪亚大学的27名足球运动员（12名女性，15名男性）进行了LMM超声评估，并在赛季末对18名运动员进行了评估。LMM截面积（CSA），在L5-S1脊柱水平上，在俯卧位和站立位两侧评估静止和收缩时（例如功能）的回声强度和厚度。使用自我报告的问卷来评估LBP和下肢损伤的病史。双能X射线吸收法（DEXA）用于获取人体成分测量值。结果男性LMM的左右不对称性明显更大（p = 0.02）。在男性球员中，俯卧时收缩的LMM厚度（p = 0.04）和站立时的LMM CSA（p = 0.02）也明显更大。在前三个月内报告患有LBP的球员中，俯卧位收缩期间LMM的厚度变化百分比明显更大（p <0.001）。LMM CSA（r =-0.41，p = 0.01）和回波强度（r = 0.69，p <0）。001）与总脂肪百分比呈正相关。在整个季节中，俯卧位的静止状态下LMM厚度略有下降（p = 0.03）。结论LBP运动员中较大的LMM收缩可能是夹板和突出脊柱的不良适应策略。LMM形态学测量值与身体成分相关。结果为足球运动员的LMM形态和激活及其与损伤和身体成分测量的关联提供了新的见解。