Lumbo-pelvic core stability: profiles of female long-distance runners

[摘要] Running is a sport characterised by a 90% prevalence of predominantly lower-limboveruse injuries. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is also prevalent and itshindrance in terms of participation falls within the definition of running injuries.Neuromuscular mechanisms within the proximal kinetic chain have been correlatedto these injuries and conditions, however contrasting views exist. Adaptations withinthe tonic and phasic characteristics of core musculature have been shown to elicit aseries of kinetic adaptations within the movement system predisposinginjury/recurrence of injury.The aim of this research was to discuss the changes in core muscle characteristics inrelation to risk of injury after exposure to a functional activity. Changes werepresented by means of profiling. A secondary objective was to identify numerousinternal and external risk factors of running-injury.A descriptive, cohort analytical study design was used with a convenience sample offifteen (15) eligible experienced female long-distance runners registered inBloemfontein-based accredited running-clubs. The baseline- and post-exerciseprofiling test battery included electromyography (EMG) of the pelvic floor muscles(PFM) and M. Transversus Abdominus (TrA)(ICC 0.98), pressure biofeedbacktesting (PBU) (ICC 0.90) and functional endurance testing (ICC 0.97). Any 24+ kmfunctional longrun served as functional task. External, internal and demographicfactors were identified using a self-compiled questionnaire.The majority of the TrA EMG, PBU and Dominant-Side lateral muscle group profilesdisplayed an increase in post-exercise value. The profiles illustrated both failure(decrease in value) and or possible neuromuscular mechanisms (increase in value)attempting to augment stability. These mechanisms are suggestive of a loss ofstability on a more central level. The cohort also displayed remarkably low-levelintegrated stability activity (PBU) both at baseline and post-exercise. There were nostatistical significant difference between the baseline and post-exercise profiles forany of the PFM (p=0.7957), TrA (p=0.2769), PBU (p=0.1875), Anterior MuscleGroup (p=0.1688), Posterior Muscle Group (p=0.1909), Lateral Dominant MuscleGroup (p=0.5897) or Non-Dominant Lateral Muscle Group measurements(p=0.1848).Knee injury was identified as the most prevalent previous running injury (47%). Only20% of the 67% of participants that included muscle conditioning in trainingprograms included the PFM. Running training errors were the most significantexternal causative factors present within the cohort together with insufficientperiodisation and recovery from longruns.The results of this research support the inclusion of core-stability components inrunning injury risk management and rehabilitation. The major limitations of thisresearch were the small sample size and absence of a control group. This may beaddressed by future research on valid functional core testing. Future research shouldalso establish scientific indicators of fatigue and correlation between corecharacteristicsand risk of injury.

[发布机构] University of the Free State