To describe and compare abdominal muscles and inter-rectus distance conditions in postpartum period in comparison with nulliparous women. Also to describe the activation changes during different abdominal exercises.
Pregnancy and childbirth cause corporal changes in women, altering the structure and function of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. The distension of the muscular tissue and the possible diastasis recti can alter the performance of the abdominal musculature in the control of intra-abdominal pressure and the lumbo-pelvic stabilization in postpartum term. Abdominal exercise is highly recommended to restore these changes but there is not enough evidence about the effects of exercise modalities.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
196
Primiparous women start a physical therapy intervention in week 6 after normal one-child delivery, based on abdominal and pelvic floor exercises, education and behavior advices. Abdominal muscle condition and activation are measured by transabdominal ultrasound and surface electromiography. This group is going to be examined after treatment and 6 and 12 months after treatment.
Beatriz Arranz Martin
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Inter-rectus distance (mm)
Inter-rectus abdominis distance in mm in rest position.
Time frame: 1 day
Cross-sectional area (mm)
Cross-sectional area of rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis in rest position.
Time frame: 1 day
Neuromuscular activity (mV)
Neuromuscular activity (mV) of rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique + transversus abdominis in rest position.
Time frame: 1 day
Inter-rectus distance (mm) during an hypopressive exercise
Inter-rectus distance (mm) during an hypopressive exercise performance in supine position.
Time frame: 1 day
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