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An ultrasound investigation into the morphology of the human abdominal wall uncovers complex deformation patterns during contraction

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Abstract

The abdominal wall components, specifically muscle and connective tissue, must meet and accommodate a wide range of force demands for torso movement, spine stabilization, and respiration. It has a composite laminate nature that may lend itself to facilitating the required tissue responses. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the deformations of the abdominal wall connective tissues, with a special focus on both the internal oblique aponeurosis and the tendinous intersections of the rectus abdominis, using ultrasound imaging, during relatively simple contractions of the abdominal musculature. There were two main findings of this study: (1) deformations occurred in nearly 50% of contractions that would be characterized by a simultaneous expansion in multiple planes; (2) the laterally generated forces of the oblique and transverse muscles transfer a great deal of force across the rectus abdominis muscle and sheath, leading to a lateral movement of the rectus muscle during abdominal contraction.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Danielle Greaves for initial assistance with the ultrasound technology, and Diane Gregory and Chad Gooyers for their help with data collection. Financial assistance was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

    Stephen H. M. Brown & Stuart M. McGill

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  1. Stephen H. M. Brown
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  2. Stuart M. McGill
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Correspondence to Stephen H. M. Brown.

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Brown, S.H.M., McGill, S.M. An ultrasound investigation into the morphology of the human abdominal wall uncovers complex deformation patterns during contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 104, 1021–1030 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0858-8

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