Method Article

Providing Visual Biofeedback Using Brightness Mode Ultrasound During a Golf Swing

DOI:

10.3791/64333

August 25th, 2022

In This Article

Summary

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Brightness mode ultrasound can be used to provide visual biofeedback of the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall during a golf swing. Post-swing visual and verbal instruction can increase the muscle activation and timing of the external and internal obliques.

Abstract

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Using ultrasound biofeedback in conjunction with verbal cueing can increase muscle thickness more than verbal cueing alone and may augment traditional rehabilitation techniques in an athletic, physically active population. Brightness mode (B-mode) ultrasound can be applied using frame-by-frame analysis synchronized with video to understand muscle thickness changes during these dynamic tasks. Visual biofeedback with ultrasound has been established in static positions for the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall. However, by securing the transducer to the abdomen using an elastic belt and foam block, biofeedback can be applied during more specific tasks prevalent in lifetime sports, such as golf. To analyze muscle activity during a golf swing, muscle thickness changes can be compared. The thickness must increase throughout the task, indicating that the muscle is more active. This methodology allows clinicians to immediately replay ultrasound videos for patients as a visual tool to instruct proper activity of the muscles of interest. For example, ultrasound can be used to target the external and internal obliques, which play an important role in swinging a golf club or any other rotational sport or activity. This methodology aims to increase oblique muscle thickness during the golf swing. Additionally, the timing of muscle contraction can be targeted by instructing the patient to contract the abdominal muscles at specific time points, such as the beginning of the downswing, with the goal of improving muscle firing patterns during tasks.

Introduction

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The muscles of the lateral abdominal wall include the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis. The external obliques perform lateral flexion and contralateral trunk rotation, while the internal obliques perform ipsilateral trunk rotation. The transverse abdominis is the deepest layer of the abdominal musculature, and it functions to increase intra-abdominal pressure and increase the segmental stability of the spine1. The proper function of these muscles is important to reduce low back pain risk and improve athletic performance as core stability allows for increased strength and power through the extremities

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Protocol

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The present protocol was part of a study approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Central Florida. Informed consent was received from all human participants for the present study. To be included in the study, participants had to be between 18 years and 75 years of age, play golf at least once per month for the past year or once per week for the past 2 months, have played golf for at least 2 years, and have had at least two episodes of low back pain in the past 12 months. The exclusion criteria were balance disorders, current pregnancy, surgery to the low back or lower extremities in the past year, or an open wound in the abdominal area where the....

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Results

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Non-feedbackBiofeedback
Swing DurationExternal Oblique Thickness (cm)Internal Oblique Thickness (cm)Combined Oblique Thickness (cm)External Oblique Thickness (cm)

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Discussion

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Providing ultrasound biofeedback following a rotation-based sports movement such as a golf swing can be used to increase the muscle thickness of the lateral abdominal wall. As shown in the representative results, a single trial of ultrasound biofeedback can lead to short-term increases in oblique muscle activity throughout a golf swing.

Previous research has also used B-mode ultrasound secured with an elastic belt during dynamic tasks20. This was measured while individu.......

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Disclosures

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The authors have no relevant disclosures to report.

Materials

List of materials used in this article
NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
Aquasonic 100ParkerBT-025-0037LUltrasound gel
GE NextGen Logig e Ultrasound UnitGE HealthcareHR48382AR
Linear Array ProbeGE HealthcareH48062AB
Velcro strapsVELCROFasteners for the elastic belt used to secure the ultrasound transducer

References

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  1. Betts, J. G., et al. Anatomy and Physiology. , OpenStax. Houston, TX. (2017).
  2. Saeterbakken, A. H., vanden Tillaar, R., Seiler, S. Effect of core stability training on throwing velocity in female handball players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 25 (3), 712-....

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Tags

Ultrasound BiofeedbackMuscle ThicknessGolf Swing AnalysisAbdominal Muscle ActivationOblique Muscle ThicknessFrame By Frame AnalysisCore Muscle ActivationRotational Sports

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