title: Electromyographic and dynamometric characteristics of female pelvic-floor musculature.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences existed on dynamometer recordings of muscle strength and electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor in 5 pregnant and 10 nonpregnant women. Pelvic-floor musculature strength measurements, using a perineometer, showed no significant differences between groups. All subjects could hold maximal voluntary contractions for three seconds, but pelvic-floor strength measurements decreased rapidly beyond three seconds. Integrated electromyographic recordings failed to show significant differences between groups. A periodicity of integrated electromyographic activity was observed in both pregnant and nonpregnant subjects. Great variability in the amount of integrated electromyographic activity was observed among both groups during maximal voluntary contractions. The practice of requesting that individuals with pelvic-floor dysfunction hold maximal voluntary contractions longer than three seconds may not be efficacious. Electromyographic measures must be complemented by strength measures for adequate evaluation and treatment of pelvic-floor dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis 46223.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Santiesteban
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D010388:Pelvis; D011187:Posture; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors