Effect of abdominal and pelvic floor tasks on muscle activity, abdominal pressure and bladder neck.
OBJECTIVE
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. Bladder neck position was assessed with perineal ultrasound. PFM and abdominal muscle activities were recorded with a vaginal probe and fine-wire electrodes, respectively. IAP was recorded with a rectal balloon.


RESULTS
Bladder neck elevation only occurred during PFM and TrA contractions. PFM EMG and IAP increased during all tasks from 0.5 (gentle TrA) to 45.7 cmH2O (maximal Valsalva).


CONCLUSIONS
Bladder neck elevation was only observed when the activity of PFM EMG was high relative to the IAP increase.
Junginger
Baerbel
B
NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Baessler
Kaven
K
Sapsford
Ruth
R
Hodges
Paul W
PW
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D014521:Urethra / Q000502:physiology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology*; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver / Q000502:physiology