Ultrasonography of Multifidus Muscle Morphology and Function in Ice Hockey Players with and Without Low Back Pain

Objectives: To examine the relationship between lumbar multifidus (LM) morphology, function, echo-intensity (EI) and body composition among a group of university level ice hockey players with and without low back pain (LBP).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University Research Centre.

Participants: Thirty-two hockey players (18 females, 14 males) participated in this study.

Main Outcome Measures: Resting LM cross-sectional area (CSA) was assessed bilaterally at the L5 level in prone and standing using ultrasound imaging. The LM thickness at rest and during contraction was evaluated in addition to LM EI. Body composition measures were acquired using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and LBP history was acquired using a self-reported questionnaire.

Results: LM muscle CSA was significantly associated with body composition measurements. LM EI was strongly associated with total % body fat and significantly greater in females. Resting LM muscle CSA and thickness (prone) was significantly smaller in players with LBP 4-weeks prior. LM side-to-side asymmetry (standing) was also significantly greater in players with LBP 3-months prior.

Conclusion: The results provide new insights with regards to LM morphology and activation in ice hockey players and revealed specific deficits in LM morphology in athletes with LBP. LM morphology was strongly associated with body composition measurements.