title: Effects of pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training in 46 nulliparous pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The women were divided into 2 groups: an exercise group and a control group. Functional evaluation of the pelvic floor muscle was performed by digital vaginal palpation using the strength scale described by Ortiz and by a perineometer (with and without biofeedback).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The functional evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles showed a significant increase in pelvic floor muscle strength during pregnancy in both groups (P < .001). However, the magnitude of the change was greater in the exercise group than in the control group (47.4% vs. 17.3%, P < .001). The study also showed a significant positive correlation (Spearman's test, r = 0.643; P < .001) between perineometry and digital assessment in the strength of pelvic floor muscles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pelvic floor muscle training resulted in a significant increase in pelvic floor muscle pressure and strength during pregnancy. A significant positive correlation between functional evaluation of the pelvic floor muscle and perineometry was observed during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, São Paulo University, Medical School, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Marco Antonio Borges
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carla Longo e Pereira
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zugaib
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D010502:Perineum / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy