The relationship between the piriformis muscle, low back pain, lower limb injuries and motor control training among elite football players
File version
Author(s)
Mendis, M Dilani
Stanton, Warren R
Hides, Julie A
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
Objectives: Australian Football League (AFL) players have a high incidence of back injuries. Motor control training to increase lumbopelvic neuromuscular control has been effective in reducing low back pain (LBP) and lower limb injuries in elite athletes. Control of pelvic and femoral alignment during functional activity involves the piriformis muscle. This study investigated (a) the effect of motor control training on piriformis muscle size in AFL players, with and without LBP, during the playing season, and (b) whether there is a relationship between lower limb injury and piriformis muscle size. Design: Stepped-wedge intervention. Methods: 46 AFL players participated in a motor control training programme consisting of two 30. min sessions per week over 7-8 weeks, delivered across the season as a randomised 3 group single-blinded stepped-wedge design. Assessment of piriformis muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) involved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 time points during the season. Assessment of LBP consisted of player interview and physical examination. Injury data were obtained from club records. Results: An interaction effect for Time, Intervention Group and LBP group (F=3.7, p=0.03) was found. Piriformis muscle CSA showed significant increases between Times 1 and 2 (F=4.24, p=0.046), and Times 2 and 3 (F=8.59, p=0.006). Players with a smaller increase in piriformis muscle CSA across the season had higher odds of sustaining an injury (OR. =1.08). Conclusions: Piriformis muscle size increases across the season in elite AFL players and is affected by the presence of LBP and lower limb injury. Motor control training positively affects piriformis muscle size in players with LBP.
Journal Title
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
18
Issue
4
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Sports science and exercise
Medical physiology
Clinical sciences
Applied and developmental psychology
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Sport Sciences
Piriformis
Australian Football League
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Leung, FT; Mendis, MD; Stanton, WR; Hides, JA, The relationship between the piriformis muscle, low back pain, lower limb injuries and motor control training among elite football players, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2015, 18 (4), pp. 407-411