Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Features of the Abdominal Wall Muscles in Elite and Amateur Basketball Players

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare with rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) abdominal wall muscle thickness and interrecti distance (IRD) between elite and amateur basketball players. A sample of 32 basketball players (age: 23.0 ± 8.5; height: 1.89 ± 14.25 m; weight: 86.6 ± 15.5 kg; body mass index: 22.8 ± 2.6 kg/m2) was divided in two groups: professional elite and amateur players. A diagnostic ultrasound tool with a 7–14 MHz range linear transducer was used for B mode ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound images of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrAb), and rectus anterior (RA) muscles as well as IRD were measured and analyzed by ImageJ software. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) with greater height, weight, and Nijmegen scores were shown in favor of the elite basketball players compared to the amateur basketball players. Ultrasound measurements of the abdominal wall muscles showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) for increased IRD and left TrAb thickness and decreased right and left EO thickness in favor of the elite versus amateur basketball players. The rest of the measurements did not show any statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Increased IRD and TrAb thickness and reduced EO thickness may be shown in elite versus amateur basketball players.