The effect of abdominal and pelvic floor muscle activation patterns on urethral pressure.

Purpose: Urethral pressure increases during voluntary pelvic floor (PF) muscle contractions in healthy women. As PF and abdominal muscle activity is coordinated, this study aimed to determine whether specific abdominal muscle actions also change urethral pressure.

Methods: Urethral pressures were measured in seven healthy women during lower abdominal in-drawing, abdominal bulging and PF muscle contractions, with the bladder empty and filled to 250 ml.

The effect of abdominal and pelvic floor muscle activation on urine flow in women.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Interruption of urine flow during micturition has been used as an assessment of ability to voluntarily contract the pelvic floor muscles (PFM). However, the PFM are also activated during specific abdominal manoeuvres. This study aimed to assess the effect of similar abdominal manoeuvres on urine flow and compare this with the effect of PFM contraction.

Activation of the striated urethral sphincter to maintain continence during dynamic tasks in healthy men.

Aims: Function of the striated urethral sphincter (SUS) in men is debated. Current evidence is limited to electromyographic (EMG) recordings made with concentric needle electrodes in supine. Understanding of SUS function requires investigation of SUS EMG activity using new recording techniques in dynamic tasks.

A novel transurethral surface electrode to record male striated urethral sphincter electromyographic activity.

Purpose: Concentric needle and current transurethral surface recording techniques are unlikely to accurately record electromyography activity of the male striated urethral sphincter during dynamic tasks. Thus, we developed a novel transurethral surface electrode that could be fixed to the urethral mucosa with optimal orientation to record striated sphincter electromyography.

Materials And Methods: Four recording surfaces were placed at equal intervals circumferentially around the tip of a 6Fr pediatric urinary catheter.

Effect of abdominal and pelvic floor tasks on muscle activity, abdominal pressure and bladder neck.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Although the bladder neck is elevated during a pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction, it descends during straining. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between bladder neck displacement, electromyography (EMG) activity of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during different pelvic floor and abdominal contractions.

Methods: Nine women without PFM dysfunction performed maximal, gentle and moderate PFM contractions, maximal and gentle transversus abdominis (TrA) contractions, bracing, Valsalva and head lift.

Pelvic floor muscle activity in different sitting postures in continent and incontinent women.

Objective: To determine whether resting activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) and abdominal muscles varied in different sitting postures in parous women with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Design: PFM and abdominal muscle activity was recorded in 3 sitting postures: slump supported, upright unsupported, and very tall unsupported. Spinal curves were measured in slump supported and upright unsupported.

Sitting posture affects pelvic floor muscle activity in parous women: an observational study.

Question: Do different sitting postures require different levels of pelvic floor and abdominal muscle activity in healthy women?

Design: Observational study.

Participants: Eight parous women with no pelvic floor dysfunction.

Outcome Measures: Bilateral activity of pelvic floor muscles (assessed vaginally) and two abdominal muscles, obliquus internus abdominis and obliquus externus abdominis, during three sitting postures.

Rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles utilizing trunk stabilization.

The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) are part of the trunk stability mechanism. Their function is interdependent with other muscles of this system. They also contribute to continence, elimination, sexual arousal and intra-abdominal pressure.