The Effect of Experimental Groin Pain on Abdominal Muscle Thickness

OBJECTIVESIt is not clear whether abnormal abdominal muscle behavior in athletes with longstanding groin pain is a risk factor for groin pain or is caused by groin pain itself. Therefore, this study investigated whether anticipation of experimental groin pain influences abdominal muscle behavior. METHODSIn 14 healthy athletes, abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound under conditions of anticipated groin pain and acute groin pain. Groin pain was induced using superficial electrical skin stimulation. Tasks evaluated were isometric hip adduction and active straight leg raise (ASLR) left. RESULTSThe m. transversus abdominis and m. obliquus internus showed a significant decrease in thickness during “anticipation of pain” compared with “no pain” and “pain” during both hip adduction and ASLR (P values