Soccer attenuates the asymmetry of rectus abdominis muscle observed in non-athletes.

Abstract

PurposeTo determine the volume and degree of asymmetry of the rectus abdominis muscle (RA) in professional soccer players.MethodsThe volume of the RA was determined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 15 professional male soccer players and 6 non-active male control subjects.ResultsSoccer players had 26% greater RA volume than controls (PConclusionsProfessional soccer is associated with marked hypertrophy of the rectus abdominis muscle, which achieves a volume that is 26% greater than in non-active controls. Soccer induces the hypertrophy of the non-dominant side in proximal regions and the dominant side in regions closer to pubic symphysis, which attenuates the pattern of asymmetry of rectus abdominis observed in non-active population. It remains to be determined whether the hypertrophy of rectus abdominis in soccer players modifies the risk of injury.