Body Composition Asymmetry in University Rugby Players: Influence of Sex, Position, and Injury.

Context: Measures of side-to-side asymmetry in body composition may help identify players who are predisposed to lower limb injuries (LLI) or lower back pain (LBP). This study aimed to examine (1) side-to-side asymmetry in college rugby players according to sex and position and (2) whether side-to-side asymmetry is associated with LBP or LLI.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Integrating machine learning and digital microfluidics for screening experimental conditions.

Digital microfluidics (DMF) has the signatures of an ideal liquid handling platform - as shown through almost two decades of automated biological and chemical assays. However, in the current state of DMF, we are still limited by the number of parallel biological or chemical assays that can be performed on DMF. Here, we report a new approach that leverages design-of-experiment and numerical methodologies to accelerate experimental optimization on DMF.

Body Composition Asymmetries in University Ice Hockey Players and Their Implications for Lower Back Pain and Leg Injury.

Resta, T, Frenette, S, Rizk, A, and Fortin, M. Body composition asymmetries in university ice hockey players and their implications for lower back pain and leg injury. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2830-2836, 2022-Right to left asymmetries in body composition have been examined across many sports, suggesting possible implications for lower back pain (LBP) and decreased level of performance.

Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Characteristics, Body Composition, and Injury in University Rugby Players.

Context: A smaller lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle was reported to be a strong predictor of lower limb injury in professional Australian Football League players. However, despite the high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and lower limb injury in rugby players, their LM characteristics have yet to be explored.

Objective: To (1) examine LM characteristics in male and female university rugby players and their possible associations with LBP and lower limb injury and (2) investigate the relationship between LM characteristics and body composition in this group of athletes.

Seasonal Changes in Lumbar Multifidus Muscle in University Rugby Players.

Purpose: Although smaller lumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) was reported to be a strong predictor of lower limb injury (LLI) in Australian Football League players, LMM morphology has not been investigated in rugby athletes. This study examined seasonal changes in LMM in rugby players and whether LMM characteristics were associated with low back pain (LBP) and LLI.

Methods: Ultrasound examinations of the LMM were acquired in 21 university-level rugby players (12 women, 9 men) at preseason and end-season.

The effect of low back pain and lower limb injury on lumbar multifidus muscle morphology and function in university soccer players.

Background: The lumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) plays a critical role to stabilize the spine. While low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in soccer players, few studies have examined LMM characteristics in this athletic population and their possible associations with LBP and lower limb injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to 1) investigate LMM characteristics in university soccer players and their potential association with LBP and lower limb injury; 2) examine the relationship between LMM characteristics and body composition measurements; and 3) examine seasonal changes in LMM characteristics.

Ultrasonography of Lumbar Multifidus Muscle in University American Football Players.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to examine and compare lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle size, asymmetry, and function in university football players with and without low back pain (LBP). A secondary objective was to examine the relationship between LM characteristics and body composition in football players.

Methods: Ultrasound assessments of the LM muscle were performed in 41 university football players during the preseason.

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.