Correlations between trunk muscle cross sectional areas and sagittal spinal curves in Australian Football athletes

Background: Preventing lower limb injuries in Australian Football League (AFL) is a primary focus of medical teams across the competition. Smaller cross-sectional area (CSA) multifidus muscle has been identified as an injury risk factor AFL athletes. Understanding why this largely theoretical. It shown that increased volume and lumbar erector spinae muscles related to curvature spine. Identification relationships between CSA multifidus, sagittal spinal angles, well CSAs other trunk could help us better understand for Method: This study was observational 48 players at one club. The pelvic (multifidus, (LES), quadratus lumborum (QL), psoas gluteus maximus (Gmax)) were measured from MRIs. Internal oblique (IO) thickness ultrasound images cobb angles thoracic kyphosis lordosis standing lateral X-ray. Pearson’s correlation coefficients used identify Results: There no correlations found measured. significant positive (all p<0.05) observed between: Gmax L4 (r = 0.35); IO (r-0.32); LES (L2) L5 (r=0.33); (L2, L3) GMax (L2 r= 0.49, L3 0.43); (r=0.5). Discussion: Contrary results studies, not lordosis. However, previous studies have predominantly conducted on non-athletic populations. contribute extension (and anterior tilt pelvis), while flexion posterior rotation). Psoas primarily generate (psoas) (Gmax) hip. exploratory showed agonists involved hip (GMax multifidus/LES) (multifidus LES). Correlations antagonists associated with flexion/ (IO multifidus) joint flexion/extension Psoas). Research Impact•Traditional clinical assumptions infer function observation posture (spinal curves) may hold true athletic populations.•Understanding agonistic antagonistic functions guide development functional exercises programs. Conflict Interest Statement: My co-authors I acknowledge we conflict interest relevance submission abstract.