Abstract
Objectives
To compare the gluteus medius and minimus segments size and activity in swimmers versus
non-swimmers.
Design
Case matched-control cross-sectional study.
Methods
The three segments of gluteus medius (anterior, middle and posterior) and two segments
of gluteus minimus (anterior and posterior) were evaluated using electromyography
and magnetic resonance imaging in 15 swimmers (7 elite and 8 non-elite) and 15 gender-
and aged-matched controls. For each muscle segment, values were obtained for peak
amplitude, average amplitude, and time to peak from each phase of the gait cycle (0–20%,
20–60%, and total stance).
Results
The pattern of anterior gluteus minimus EMG activity in swimmers demonstrated additional
activity early in the gait cycle when compared with controls. The segmental differences
between anterior and posterior gluteus minimus during gait identified in the control
group were not present in the swimmers. Overall, there were no significant differences
in the gluteus medius EMG characteristics between groups and muscle size was not significantly
different between groups for any of the hip abductor muscles.
Conclusions
The preliminary evidence of non-segmental differences within the gluteus minimus of
swimmers (as opposed to non-swimmers) might implicate reduced-gravity environments
in contributing to subsequent changes in deep stabiliser muscles. Such changes might
predispose the athlete to a greater risk of lower limb injury during weight bearing
activities.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 08, 2015
Accepted:
June 1,
2015
Received in revised form:
May 12,
2015
Received:
March 6,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
