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Research paper thumbnail of Relations between lateral abdominal muscles thickness, body mass index, waist circumference and skin fold thickness

Acta medica Iranica, 2013

In light of provided progresses in ultrasound measurements of lateral abdominal muscles, an impor... more In light of provided progresses in ultrasound measurements of lateral abdominal muscles, an important role for these muscles, particularly transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle in stability of the spine has been suggested. Some authors have found significant correlations between body mass index (BMI) and thickness of these muscles. The aim of this study was to examine possible association between different methods of measurements of fatness and lateral abdominal muscles thicknesses, employing ultrasound imaging in healthy subjects. Ninety healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 38 (mean= 31.37, standard deviation=5.09) who met our inclusion criteria participated in this study. BMI, skin fold thickness, weight and waist circumference were assumed as the major outcomes for measurement of fatness of the subjects. Employing ultrasound measurements, the thickness of TrA, internal oblique (Int Obl) and external oblique (Ext Obl) muscles were also measured. We found positive significant relation be...

Research paper thumbnail of Low back pain status of female university students in relation to different sport activities

European Spine Journal, 2015

Purpose To investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and its absence rate among female un... more Purpose To investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and its absence rate among female university student athletes in different types of sports. Methods A cross-sectional study based on a standard selfreporting questionnaire was performed among 1335 athletes. Participants were female athletes who attended the National Sports Olympiad of Female University Students in basketball, volleyball, futsal, tennis, badminton, swimming, track and field, shooting, and karate. Results One thousand and fifty-nine athletes with the mean (SD) age of 23.1 (3.8) years responded to the questionnaire (response rate 79 %). The 12-month prevalence of LBP was 39.0 %; in addition, lifetime and point prevalence of LBP were 59.7 and 17.8 %, respectively. Basketball (47.9 %) and karate (44.0 %) players had reported the highest 12-month prevalence of LBP. Also, LBP prevalences in shooting (29.7 %) and badminton (42.4 %) players were not negligible. Results show that, LBP led to relatively high absence rate from training sessions (27.9 %) and matches (13.0 %). Conclusion While most of the existing literatures regarding female athletes' LBP have focused on particular sports with specific low back demands (such as skiing and rowing), many other sports have not been studied very well in this regard. Investigating LBP prevalence and related factors in other types of sports, such as combat sports, badminton and shooting, can help us better understand the prevalence of low back pain and provide us with necessary insight to take effective steps towards its prevention in athletes.

Research paper thumbnail of Association Between Hearing Loss And Cauliflower Ear in Wrestlers, a Case Control Study Employing Hearing Tests

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 2015

Background: According to anecdotal findings, some wrestling coaches and wrestlers believe that ca... more Background: According to anecdotal findings, some wrestling coaches and wrestlers believe that cauliflower ear might lead to hearing loss. Our preliminary study showed that the prevalence of hearing loss reported by the wrestlers with cauliflower ear is significantly higher than this rate among wrestlers without cauliflower ear. To the best of our knowledge, no other study has confirmed this finding employing hearing tests. Objectives: To evaluate and to compare the prevalence of hearing loss among wrestlers with and without cauliflower ears employing hearing tests. Patients and Methods: The subjects were randomly selected form 14 wrestling clubs in Tehran. Subjects were 201 wrestlers with cauliflower ears (100 wrestlers with one cauliflower ear and 101 wrestlers with two cauliflower ears) and 139 wrestlers without cauliflower ears. All the participants in this study were interviewed to collect information on demographic factors and medical history of risk factors and diseases related to hearing loss. The subjects in both groups underwent otoscopic and audiologic examinations. Results: Audiometric examination results at the frequency range of 0.5 -8 KHz showed that the prevalence of hearing loss among cauliflower ears was higher than this rate among non-cauliflower ears. Also, the percentage of positive history of ear infections among cauliflower ears (8.4%) was about two times more than this finding among non-cauliflower ears (4.9%). This difference tended to be significant (OR: 1.86, P = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.98 -3.53). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that the prevalence of hearing loss among cauliflower ears is higher than this rate among non-cauliflower ears confirmed by audiological tests. This emphasizes that, more preventive measures such as mandatory ear gear for wrestlers are required.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Ultrasound in Diagnosis of the Causes of Low Back Pain: a Review of the Literature

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 2015

Context: Low back pain (LBP) is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in the develo... more Context: Low back pain (LBP) is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in the developed countries. It is a common problem causing disability and imposing a huge economic burden to individuals and state organizations. Imaging plays an important role in diagnosis of the etiology of LBP. Evidence Acquisition: The electronic databases included: PubMed (1950 to present), Ovid SP Medline (1950 to present) and ISI (1982 to present) and Google Scholar. In every search engine another search was performed using various permutations of the following keywords: ultrasonography, ultrasound imaging, low back pain, back muscles, paraspinal muscles, multifidus, transverse abdominis, muscle size, spinal canal, sacroiliac joint and spondylolisthesis. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in evaluation of patients with LBP; however, high costs, limited availability and contraindications for its use have restricted MRI utilization. In a quest for a less expensive and readily available tool to investigate LBP, clinicians and researchers found ultrasonography (US) as an alternative. In this review we discuss the US application in diagnosis of some common causes of non-specific chronic LBP. Discussed topics include evaluation of spinal canal diameter, paraspinal and transabdominal muscles, sacroiliac joint laxity, pregnancy related LBP, sacroiliitis, and spondylolisthesis using US in patients with LBP. Conclusions: While the first researches on employing ultrasound in diagnosis of patients with LBP had been focused on spinal canal diameter, recent studies have been mostly performed to evaluate the role of transabdominal and paraspinal muscles on core stability and thereby LBP occurrence. On the other side, Doppler ultrasonography has recently played an important role in objective measurement of joint laxity as a common etiology for LBP. Doppler imaging also in pregnant patients with LBP has been recommended as a safe and sensitive method. As conclusion, according to recent and most prestigious studies, focusing more on transabdominal muscle thickness can be considered as future approach in investigations.

Research paper thumbnail of Necessity of Adding Sports and Exercise Medicine Topics to the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum in Iran

Thrita Journal of Medical Sciences, 2012

The levels of knowledge and skills in Iranian physicians on major topics of sports and exercise m... more The levels of knowledge and skills in Iranian physicians on major topics of sports and exercise medicine are low to medium. As the first line of management of patient, GPs and interns advise to insert the sport medicine related topics into curriculum of medical doctors.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of the Thickness of Lateral Abdominal Muscles Between Pregnant Women With and Without Low Back Pain

PM&R, 2014

To compare the thickness of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis mus... more To compare the thickness of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles in pregnant subjects with and without low back pain (LBP) by the use of ultrasound to measure thickness. A case-control study. An academic and tertiary care referral spine and sports medicine center. Fifty pregnant women with LBP during pregnancy and 54 pregnant control subjects. Case and control subjects were matched for body mass index, gestational age, and number of previous pregnancies. A multiple linear regression model with adjustment for the gestational age of the subjects, as the potential confounder of the primary outcomes, was used to evaluate the association between LBP appearance and abdominal muscles thickness of the subjects. The thickness of lateral abdominal muscles was measured by ultrasound with the subject in a hook-lying position on the examination table. We found that there was no significant difference between pregnant subjects with and without LBP in terms of the thickness of external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles. These findings suggest that other factors rather than the thickness of core stabilizing muscles are influential in the etiology of LBP during pregnancy. We hypothesize that enlargement of uterus during pregnancy might influence the thickness of the lateral abdominal muscles.

Research paper thumbnail of Relations between lateral abdominal muscles thickness, body mass index, waist circumference and skin fold thickness

Acta Medica Iranica, 2013

In light of provided progresses in ultrasound measurements of lateral abdominal muscles, an impor... more In light of provided progresses in ultrasound measurements of lateral abdominal muscles, an important role for these muscles, particularly transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle in stability of the spine has been suggested. Some authors have found significant correlations between body mass index (BMI) and thickness of these muscles. The aim of this study was to examine possible association between different methods of measurements of fatness and lateral abdominal muscles thicknesses, employing ultrasound imaging in healthy subjects. Ninety healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 38 (mean= 31.37, standard deviation=5.09) who met our inclusion criteria participated in this study. BMI, skin fold thickness, weight and waist circumference were assumed as the major outcomes for measurement of fatness of the subjects. Employing ultrasound measurements, the thickness of TrA, internal oblique (Int Obl) and external oblique (Ext Obl) muscles were also measured. We found positive significant relation between Ext Obl muscle thickness and all methods of measurements of fatness. Reversely, the results show that Int Obl muscle thickness significantly decreases with the rise of all methods of fatness measurement except weight which had no significant correlation with Int Obl thickness. No significant relation between the TrA muscle thickness and different measurements of the fatness of the subjects were found. In the studies investigate the thickness of lateral abdominal muscles; the authors try to match the participants of different groups of their study regarding the BMI. We found that both waist circumference and skin fold thickness measurements might be assumed as surrogate of BMI, in aim of matching the participants on Ext Obl muscle thickness.

Research paper thumbnail of Relations between lateral abdominal muscles thickness, body mass index, waist circumference and skin fold thickness

Acta medica Iranica, 2013

In light of provided progresses in ultrasound measurements of lateral abdominal muscles, an impor... more In light of provided progresses in ultrasound measurements of lateral abdominal muscles, an important role for these muscles, particularly transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle in stability of the spine has been suggested. Some authors have found significant correlations between body mass index (BMI) and thickness of these muscles. The aim of this study was to examine possible association between different methods of measurements of fatness and lateral abdominal muscles thicknesses, employing ultrasound imaging in healthy subjects. Ninety healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 38 (mean= 31.37, standard deviation=5.09) who met our inclusion criteria participated in this study. BMI, skin fold thickness, weight and waist circumference were assumed as the major outcomes for measurement of fatness of the subjects. Employing ultrasound measurements, the thickness of TrA, internal oblique (Int Obl) and external oblique (Ext Obl) muscles were also measured. We found positive significant relation be...

Research paper thumbnail of Low back pain status of female university students in relation to different sport activities

European Spine Journal, 2015

Purpose To investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and its absence rate among female un... more Purpose To investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and its absence rate among female university student athletes in different types of sports. Methods A cross-sectional study based on a standard selfreporting questionnaire was performed among 1335 athletes. Participants were female athletes who attended the National Sports Olympiad of Female University Students in basketball, volleyball, futsal, tennis, badminton, swimming, track and field, shooting, and karate. Results One thousand and fifty-nine athletes with the mean (SD) age of 23.1 (3.8) years responded to the questionnaire (response rate 79 %). The 12-month prevalence of LBP was 39.0 %; in addition, lifetime and point prevalence of LBP were 59.7 and 17.8 %, respectively. Basketball (47.9 %) and karate (44.0 %) players had reported the highest 12-month prevalence of LBP. Also, LBP prevalences in shooting (29.7 %) and badminton (42.4 %) players were not negligible. Results show that, LBP led to relatively high absence rate from training sessions (27.9 %) and matches (13.0 %). Conclusion While most of the existing literatures regarding female athletes' LBP have focused on particular sports with specific low back demands (such as skiing and rowing), many other sports have not been studied very well in this regard. Investigating LBP prevalence and related factors in other types of sports, such as combat sports, badminton and shooting, can help us better understand the prevalence of low back pain and provide us with necessary insight to take effective steps towards its prevention in athletes.

Research paper thumbnail of Association Between Hearing Loss And Cauliflower Ear in Wrestlers, a Case Control Study Employing Hearing Tests

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 2015

Background: According to anecdotal findings, some wrestling coaches and wrestlers believe that ca... more Background: According to anecdotal findings, some wrestling coaches and wrestlers believe that cauliflower ear might lead to hearing loss. Our preliminary study showed that the prevalence of hearing loss reported by the wrestlers with cauliflower ear is significantly higher than this rate among wrestlers without cauliflower ear. To the best of our knowledge, no other study has confirmed this finding employing hearing tests. Objectives: To evaluate and to compare the prevalence of hearing loss among wrestlers with and without cauliflower ears employing hearing tests. Patients and Methods: The subjects were randomly selected form 14 wrestling clubs in Tehran. Subjects were 201 wrestlers with cauliflower ears (100 wrestlers with one cauliflower ear and 101 wrestlers with two cauliflower ears) and 139 wrestlers without cauliflower ears. All the participants in this study were interviewed to collect information on demographic factors and medical history of risk factors and diseases related to hearing loss. The subjects in both groups underwent otoscopic and audiologic examinations. Results: Audiometric examination results at the frequency range of 0.5 -8 KHz showed that the prevalence of hearing loss among cauliflower ears was higher than this rate among non-cauliflower ears. Also, the percentage of positive history of ear infections among cauliflower ears (8.4%) was about two times more than this finding among non-cauliflower ears (4.9%). This difference tended to be significant (OR: 1.86, P = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.98 -3.53). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that the prevalence of hearing loss among cauliflower ears is higher than this rate among non-cauliflower ears confirmed by audiological tests. This emphasizes that, more preventive measures such as mandatory ear gear for wrestlers are required.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Ultrasound in Diagnosis of the Causes of Low Back Pain: a Review of the Literature

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 2015

Context: Low back pain (LBP) is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in the develo... more Context: Low back pain (LBP) is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in the developed countries. It is a common problem causing disability and imposing a huge economic burden to individuals and state organizations. Imaging plays an important role in diagnosis of the etiology of LBP. Evidence Acquisition: The electronic databases included: PubMed (1950 to present), Ovid SP Medline (1950 to present) and ISI (1982 to present) and Google Scholar. In every search engine another search was performed using various permutations of the following keywords: ultrasonography, ultrasound imaging, low back pain, back muscles, paraspinal muscles, multifidus, transverse abdominis, muscle size, spinal canal, sacroiliac joint and spondylolisthesis. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in evaluation of patients with LBP; however, high costs, limited availability and contraindications for its use have restricted MRI utilization. In a quest for a less expensive and readily available tool to investigate LBP, clinicians and researchers found ultrasonography (US) as an alternative. In this review we discuss the US application in diagnosis of some common causes of non-specific chronic LBP. Discussed topics include evaluation of spinal canal diameter, paraspinal and transabdominal muscles, sacroiliac joint laxity, pregnancy related LBP, sacroiliitis, and spondylolisthesis using US in patients with LBP. Conclusions: While the first researches on employing ultrasound in diagnosis of patients with LBP had been focused on spinal canal diameter, recent studies have been mostly performed to evaluate the role of transabdominal and paraspinal muscles on core stability and thereby LBP occurrence. On the other side, Doppler ultrasonography has recently played an important role in objective measurement of joint laxity as a common etiology for LBP. Doppler imaging also in pregnant patients with LBP has been recommended as a safe and sensitive method. As conclusion, according to recent and most prestigious studies, focusing more on transabdominal muscle thickness can be considered as future approach in investigations.

Research paper thumbnail of Necessity of Adding Sports and Exercise Medicine Topics to the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum in Iran

Thrita Journal of Medical Sciences, 2012

The levels of knowledge and skills in Iranian physicians on major topics of sports and exercise m... more The levels of knowledge and skills in Iranian physicians on major topics of sports and exercise medicine are low to medium. As the first line of management of patient, GPs and interns advise to insert the sport medicine related topics into curriculum of medical doctors.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of the Thickness of Lateral Abdominal Muscles Between Pregnant Women With and Without Low Back Pain

PM&R, 2014

To compare the thickness of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis mus... more To compare the thickness of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles in pregnant subjects with and without low back pain (LBP) by the use of ultrasound to measure thickness. A case-control study. An academic and tertiary care referral spine and sports medicine center. Fifty pregnant women with LBP during pregnancy and 54 pregnant control subjects. Case and control subjects were matched for body mass index, gestational age, and number of previous pregnancies. A multiple linear regression model with adjustment for the gestational age of the subjects, as the potential confounder of the primary outcomes, was used to evaluate the association between LBP appearance and abdominal muscles thickness of the subjects. The thickness of lateral abdominal muscles was measured by ultrasound with the subject in a hook-lying position on the examination table. We found that there was no significant difference between pregnant subjects with and without LBP in terms of the thickness of external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles. These findings suggest that other factors rather than the thickness of core stabilizing muscles are influential in the etiology of LBP during pregnancy. We hypothesize that enlargement of uterus during pregnancy might influence the thickness of the lateral abdominal muscles.

Research paper thumbnail of Relations between lateral abdominal muscles thickness, body mass index, waist circumference and skin fold thickness

Acta Medica Iranica, 2013

In light of provided progresses in ultrasound measurements of lateral abdominal muscles, an impor... more In light of provided progresses in ultrasound measurements of lateral abdominal muscles, an important role for these muscles, particularly transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle in stability of the spine has been suggested. Some authors have found significant correlations between body mass index (BMI) and thickness of these muscles. The aim of this study was to examine possible association between different methods of measurements of fatness and lateral abdominal muscles thicknesses, employing ultrasound imaging in healthy subjects. Ninety healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 38 (mean= 31.37, standard deviation=5.09) who met our inclusion criteria participated in this study. BMI, skin fold thickness, weight and waist circumference were assumed as the major outcomes for measurement of fatness of the subjects. Employing ultrasound measurements, the thickness of TrA, internal oblique (Int Obl) and external oblique (Ext Obl) muscles were also measured. We found positive significant relation between Ext Obl muscle thickness and all methods of measurements of fatness. Reversely, the results show that Int Obl muscle thickness significantly decreases with the rise of all methods of fatness measurement except weight which had no significant correlation with Int Obl thickness. No significant relation between the TrA muscle thickness and different measurements of the fatness of the subjects were found. In the studies investigate the thickness of lateral abdominal muscles; the authors try to match the participants of different groups of their study regarding the BMI. We found that both waist circumference and skin fold thickness measurements might be assumed as surrogate of BMI, in aim of matching the participants on Ext Obl muscle thickness.