ArticleOrthopaedic journal of sports medicine2014
Small Multifidus Muscle Size Predicts Football Injuries.
Article in Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers.
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Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed, 54 citations in OpenAlex.
- Lumbar stabilization exercise with and without real-time ultrasound imaging biofeedback in chronic low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial.Scientific reports · 2025Trial
- Relationship Between Muscle Thickness and Hip and Groin Function in Elite Professional Dancers: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Developing Clinically Relevant Cut-Off Values for Trunk Muscle Size in Relation to Lower Limb Injuries in AFL Players.Translational sports medicine · 2026Article
- Morphological and Compositional Features of Lumbar Multifidus in Athletes with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2026Article
- Acute Effects of Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Hamstring Stiffness: A Randomised Controlled Trial.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Hamstring Muscle Stiffness in Athletes with and without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction History: A Retrospective Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- The Correlation between Unilateral Hip Bridge Endurance and Lumbar Multifidi Sonologic Characteristics in Physically Active Allied Healthcare Professionals at St. Luke's Medical Center - Quezon City: A Cross-sectional Study.Acta medica Philippina · 2024Article
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- Ultrasonography of the multifidus muscle in student circus artists with and without low back pain: a cross-sectional study.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2023Article
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- Implementing Ultrasound Imaging for the Assessment of Muscle and Tendon Properties in Elite Sports: Practical Aspects, Methodological Considerations and Future Directions.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2021Review
- Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Characteristics, Body Composition, and Injury in University Rugby Players.Journal of athletic training · 2020Article
- Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging Differences in Multifidus and Thoracolumbar Fasciae between Athletes with and without Chronic Lumbopelvic Pain: A Case-Control Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2020Article
- Reliability of Ultrasound Imaging of the Trunk Musculature in Athletes with and without Hamstring Injuries.The archives of bone and joint surgery · 2020Article
- Inconsistent descriptions of lumbar multifidus morphology: A scoping review.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2020Article
- The effect of low back pain and lower limb injury on lumbar multifidus muscle morphology and function in university soccer players.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2020Article
- Changes in Muscle Thickness Across Positions on Ultrasound Imaging in Participants With or Without a History of Low Back Pain.Journal of athletic training · 2018Article
- ULTRASONOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF NECK MUSCULAR SIZE AND RANGE OF MOTION IN RUGBY PLAYERS.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2018Article
- Self-Managed Exercises, Fitness and Strength Training, and Multifidus Muscle Size in Elite Footballers.Journal of athletic training · 2017Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundIn Australian football, lower limb injuries have had the highest incidence and prevalence rates. Previous studies have shown that football players with relatively more severe preseason and playing season hip, groin, and thigh injuries had a significantly smaller multifidus muscle compared with players with no lower limb injuries. Rehabilitation of the multifidus muscle, with restoration of its size and function, has been associated with decreased recurrence rates of episodic low back pain and decreased numbers of lower limb injuries in football players. Assessment of multifidus muscle size and function could potentially be incorporated into a model that could be used to predict injuries in football players. PURPOSE: To examine the robustness of multifidus muscle measurements as a predictor of lower limb injuries incurred by professional football players. STUDY
designCohort study; Level of evidence, 2.
methodsUltrasound examinations were carried out on 259 male elite football players at the start of the preseason and 261 players at the start of the playing season. Injury data were obtained from records collected by the Australian Football League (AFL) club staff during the preseason and the playing season.
resultsDecreased size of the multifidus muscle at L5 consistently predicted injury in the preseason and playing season. Asymmetry of the multifidus muscle and low back pain were significantly related to lower limb injuries in the preseason, and having no preferred kicking leg was related to season injuries. Seasonal change in the size of the multifidus muscle indicating a decrease in muscle mass was linked to injury. Sensitivity and specificity of the model were 60.6% and 84.9% for the preseason and 91.8% and 45.8% for the playing season, respectively.
conclusionA model was developed for prediction of lower limb injuries in football players with potential utility for club medical staff. Of particular note is the finding that changes in muscle size from the preseason to the playing season predicted injury. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As size of the multifidus muscle has been shown to be modifiable with training and has been associated with reduced pain and occurrence of injuries, this information could be incorporated in current programs of injury prevention.
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Registered trials
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