[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to analyze the correlations of the thicknesses of the transversus abdominis muscle (Tra) and the internal obliquus abdominis muscle (Io) with static lumbar stability (SLS), dynamic lumbar stability (DLS), and balance. [Subjects] The subjects of the present study were 40 female university students who had no physical defects or pain. [Methods] The t...

Objective: Single shot transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks have gained popularity as an analgesic tool after abdominal surgery. We present two cases where catheters were placed in the posterior transversus abdominis plane for providing continuous analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. Patient one was admitted for laparoscopy assisted left hemicolectomy and bilateral posterior catheters u...

PURPOSE To compare core muscle activity during resistance exercises performed on stable ground vs. the BOSU Balance Trainer. METHODS Twelve trained men performed the back squat, dead lift, overhead press, and curl lifts. The activity of the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, transversus abdominis/internal oblique abdominis, and erector spinae muscles was assessed. Subjects performe...

PURPOSE Although the rectus abdominis and its sheath are well known structures, their development in the human fetus is poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined rectus abdominis and sheath development in semiserial horizontal sections of 18 fetuses at 5-9 weeks of gestation. RESULTS Rectus muscle differentiation was found to commence above the umbilicus at 6 weeks and extend inf...

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the different effects of long-term intervention between proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) patterns for the pelvis on chronic low back pain as assessed by the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle and the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle. [Subjects] The subjects were 1...

Ultrasonography has recently been proposed for assessing changes in thickness and motion of the diaphragm during contraction in humans. Data on ultrasound assessment of abdominal muscles in humans are scarce. We therefore investigated the changes in thickness and the relevant mechanical effects of abdominal muscles using this technique during respiratory manoeuvres in normal subjects. We evalua...

The influence of respiratory activity of the abdominal muscles on their reaction time in a postural task was evaluated. The electromyographic (EMG) onsets of the abdominal muscles and deltoid were evaluated in response to shoulder flexion initiated by a visual stimulus occurring at random throughout the respiratory cycle. Increased activity of the abdominal muscles was produced by inspiratory l...