ORIGINAL PAPER
Imaging-based assessment of rectus abdominis muscle thickness in an adult population: evaluating possible anthropometric relationships
Submission date: 2014-06-28
Final revision date: 2014-08-07
Acceptance date: 2014-08-08
Publication date: 2014-09-19
Medical Studies 2014;30(3):180-187
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Very little attention has been paid to muscle architecture in the Sub-Saharan African environment, and the rectus abdominis muscle, being a stabilising agent in the trunk, should not be left out. Considering the incidence of trunk musculoskeletal discomfort, it is necessary to assess the rectus abdominis muscle.
Aim of the research: To assess the thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle in an apparently healthy adult population using ultrasound and to evaluate its possible relationship with important anthropometric variables.
Material and methods: A total of 120 healthy subjects made up of 60 males and 60 females, who gave their written consent, were recruited for this study. B-mode ultrasound was used to assess the rectus abdominis muscle. Anthropometric variables were also assessed.
Results: The results show that the rectus abdominis thickness (RAT) was 14.68 ±2.92 mm and 14.37 ±2.74 mm for the right (RRAT) and left (LRAT) sides, respectively. The males had significantly thicker muscles than the females (p = 0.004) and the RAT correlated positively with age, weight, height, body mass index, body surface area, waist circumference, and conicity index.
Conclusions: These results show robust myoanthropometric relationships that will assist surgeons in reconstructive procedures involving the muscle. They will also serve as a guidepost in the biomechanical assessment of the muscle in lifting sports for an African population, in the study of muscle flaps, and in the general evaluation of trunk mass.
Aim of the research: To assess the thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle in an apparently healthy adult population using ultrasound and to evaluate its possible relationship with important anthropometric variables.
Material and methods: A total of 120 healthy subjects made up of 60 males and 60 females, who gave their written consent, were recruited for this study. B-mode ultrasound was used to assess the rectus abdominis muscle. Anthropometric variables were also assessed.
Results: The results show that the rectus abdominis thickness (RAT) was 14.68 ±2.92 mm and 14.37 ±2.74 mm for the right (RRAT) and left (LRAT) sides, respectively. The males had significantly thicker muscles than the females (p = 0.004) and the RAT correlated positively with age, weight, height, body mass index, body surface area, waist circumference, and conicity index.
Conclusions: These results show robust myoanthropometric relationships that will assist surgeons in reconstructive procedures involving the muscle. They will also serve as a guidepost in the biomechanical assessment of the muscle in lifting sports for an African population, in the study of muscle flaps, and in the general evaluation of trunk mass.
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| eISSN: | 2300-6722 |
| ISSN: | 1899-1874 |
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