Breathing with the pelvic floor? Correlation of pelvic floor muscle function and expiratory flows in healthy young nulliparous women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine correlations between pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function and expiratory function in healthy young nulliparous women.


METHODS
In 40 volunteers, PFM function was assessed by vaginal palpation. Forced expiration patterns were evaluated visually and by palpation of the suprapubic insertion region of the anterolateral abdominal muscles. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory flows (FEF) were determined by spirometry.


RESULTS
Incremental positive correlation was found between voluntary PFM contraction strength and forced expiratory flow at 25%, 50% and 75% (FEF(25%), FEF(50%), FEF(75%)) of the FVC, respectively. Positive correlation was also found between PFM contraction strength and forced expired volume in 1 s (FEV(1)). No correlation was found between PFM contraction strength and FVC or peak expiratory flow (PEF).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite some limitations of this study, the observed correlation between PFM contraction strength and forced expiratory flows may serve as theoretical background for a potential role of coordinated abdominal and PFM training in diseases with expiratory flow limitations.
Talasz
Helena
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Hochzirl Hospital, Hochzirl 1, 6170, Zirl, Austria. helena.talasz@tilak.at
Kofler
Markus
M
Kalchschmid
Elisabeth
E
Pretterklieber
Michael
M
Lechleitner
Monika
M
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult