Changes in thickness of the transversus abdominis during the abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre and expiratory muscle training in elderly people.
Takamune Sugimoto, Masami Yokogawa, Hiroichi Miaki and 2 others
PMID 29410580WHAT IT FOUND
Expiratory muscle training thickened the deep abdominal muscle more than the standard drawing-in maneuver in elderly people.
Both exercises increased thickness compared to rest, but expiratory training produced a greater effect. This suggests breathing against resistance may be an easier way to target deep abdominal muscles in older adults.
Key findings
01Expiratory muscle training resulted in significantly greater thickness of the transversus abdominis compared to the abdominal drawing-in maneuver.
02Both expiratory muscle training and the abdominal drawing-in maneuver significantly increased transversus abdominis thickness compared to the resting position.
03Neither exercise significantly changed the thickness of the internal or external oblique muscles.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study measured muscle thickness, not actual muscle activity or strength, so it is unclear if the thicker muscle translates to better functional stability or pain reduction. The subjects were healthy elderly people without low back pain, so results may not apply to patients with existing lumbar conditions. The sample size was small (21 subjects), and the study did not assess long-term effects or clinical outcomes like pain or function. The internal oblique did not thicken as expected, possibly due to age-related changes or posture, suggesting the results may not generalize to all trunk muscles.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was approved by the medical ethics review committee of the affiliated institution.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that increased muscle thickness equals improved clinical function or pain relief. The study measured anatomical changes in healthy elderly people, not outcomes in patients with low back pain. Additionally, the internal oblique did not respond to the exercises, so this method may not activate the entire abdominal wall.