Trunk muscle size and function in volleyball players with and without injuries to the head, neck and upper limb

Objective: To investigate trunk muscle size and function in elite and community volleyball players with and without a history of head, neck or upper limb injury.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting: Volleyball training camp or training sessions.

Participants: 86 volleyball players (elite = 29; community = 57).

Main outcome measures: Information regarding history of head, neck or upper limb injuries was collected by self-report questionnaires. Trunk muscle size (multifidus, transversus abdominis, internal oblique and quadratus lumborum) and voluntary contraction (multifidus, transversus abdominis, internal oblique) were assessed using ultrasound imaging.

Results: For trunk muscle size, no significant differences were found between elite and community volleyball players with and without a history of injury (all p > 0.05). A significant difference was found for voluntary contraction of the multifidus and transversus abdominis muscles for elite and community volleyball players with and without a history of injury (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: A difference in trunk muscle contraction but no change in trunk muscle size in players with a history of head, neck or upper limb injuries may represent an altered muscle recruitment pattern rather than a deficiency in trunk muscle strength. Prospective studies are required to determine if these adaptations are compensatory (and protective) or predispose players to further injuries.