title: Measurement of pelvic floor function during physical activity: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pelvic floor function is closely related to bladder storage or voiding dysfunctions. So far, however, pelvic floor activity has not been reliably measured during physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 14 female healthy volunteers, the activity of the pelvic floor was evaluated during a standardized horseback riding course by a biofeedback device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pelvic floor activity could be reliably measured during horseback riding. Each pace was associated with corresponding electromyographic (EMG) activity that was similar in the overwhelming majority of participants. Different paces demonstrated distinctly different EMG activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that pelvic floor activity can be reliably measured during physical activity with a commercially available biofeedback device.
authors.affiliation: Bildungszentrum für Berufe im Gesundheitswesen, Klinikum Lippe, Detmold, Germany.
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pannek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results