ArticlesContraction of the pelvic floor muscles during abdominal maneuvers☆1,☆2,☆3,☆4,☆5,☆6,☆7,☆8,☆9,☆10,☆11,☆12,☆13,☆14
Section snippets
Subjects
Electromyographic recordings were made from the muscles of the pelvic floor in 6 women and 1 man. The demographic details are presented in table 1. *Data given as mean (range).Empty Cell Women Man Age (yr) 45.7 (35-63) 30 Height (m) 1.66 (160-173) 1.82 Weight (kg) 58.7 (54-61) 85 Maximum birth weight (gm) 2950-4300
Results
Figure 3 presents group and individual data for abdominal muscle activity recorded with surface electrodes and ultrasound imaging in all subjects, and fine-wire electrodes in 1 subject for each of the abdominal maneuvres.
Discussion
This study of healthy subjects shows that vaginal and anal surface electromyographic activity increases with voluntary activation of the abdominal muscles. Furthermore, the extent of increase in pelvic floor muscle activity was related to the extent of the increase in abdominal muscle activity, with greatest pelvic floor muscle activity recorded with the strongest abdominal maneuver. The electromyography findings were supported by similar increases in vaginal and anal pressure measurements when
Conclusion
The findings of this study indicate that exercise of the abdominal muscles may be beneficial in maintaining pelvic floor muscle coordination, support, endurance, and strength. Similar exercise has the potential to be useful in the rehabilitation of persons with symptoms of dysfunction. For instance, contraction of the abdominal muscles may provide an efficient mechanism with which to initiate and train contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, particularly for patients who have difficulty
Acknowledgements
We thank Elizabeth McDonald and Merryn Hodges for assistance with data collection, Ms. McDonald for subject recruitment, Helen MacDevitt for training the subjects to perform the abdominal maneuvres, and Arthur Algate, Advantage Health Care Pty Ltd, for supplying equipment.
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Cited by (0)
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Supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. Equipment provided by Arthur Algate, Advantage Health Care, Pty Ltd.
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The author(s) has/have chosen not to select a disclosure statement.
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Reprint requests to Ruth R. Sapsford, DipPhty, Dept of Physiotherapy, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Raymond Ter, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Australia, e-mail: [email protected].
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