Do Measures of Muscular Fitness Modify the Effect of Intra-abdominal Pressure on Pelvic Floor Support in Postpartum Women?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether measures of muscular fitness modify the effect of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during lifting on pelvic floor support.

Methods

Participants, primiparous women 1 year after vaginal delivery, underwent the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification examination, measurement of IAP via a vaginal sensor while lifting a weighted car seat, pelvic floor muscle force assessment using an instrumented speculum, grip strength using a hand dynamometer, and trunk flexor endurance by holding an isometric contraction while maintaining a 60-degree angle to the table. We dichotomized pelvic floor support as worse (greatest descent of the anterior, posterior, or apical vagina during maximal strain at or below the hymen) versus better (all points abov

SUBMITTER: Nygaard IE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7793631 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature