The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the effect of different sport training regimens on the size of the neck semispinalis capitis muscle (SECM). The cross-sectional area (CSA) and the linear dimensions of the SECM were measured bilaterally by real-time ultrasonography. Ten young Finnish elite level weight-lifters, 8 freestyle wrestlers and 10 controls (all male) participated in the study. Muscle CSA was significantly larger in wrestlers than in weight-lifters or controls (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in size between the right and left SECM in any of the subject groups, but the variation between sides (smaller vs. larger) was significantly higher in wrestlers than weight-lifters (P < 0.05). CSA correlated with the multiplied linear dimensions (r = 0.80, P < 0.000). Neck muscle: ultrasonography appeared to be a useful method in evaluating the differences between two groups of athletes.
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