title: Effects of multidimensional pelvic floor muscle training in healthy young women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cross-sectional and interventional study to assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in healthy young nulliparous women and to determine the effects of a 3-month PFM training program with emphasis on co-contraction of PFM and anterolateral abdominal muscles and on correctly performed coughing patterns.
  
  
  METHODS
  PFM function was assessed by digital vaginal palpation in 40 volunteers and graded according to the 6-point Oxford grading scale. The PFM training program was comprised theoretical instruction, as well as verbal feedback during hands-on instruction and repeated training sessions focussing on strengthening PFM and anterolateral abdominal muscle co-contraction during forced expiration and coughing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, 30 women (75%) were able to perform normal PFM contractions at rest (Oxford scale score ≥ 3); only 4 of them (10%) presented additional involuntary PFM contractions before and during coughing. The remaining 10 women (25%) were unable to perform voluntary or involuntary PFM contractions. Mean Oxford scale score in the whole group was 3.3 ± 1.7. After completing the PFM training program, 29 women (72.5%) performed cough-related PFM contractions and group mean Oxford scale score increased significantly to 4.2 ± 1.0.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that PFM dysfunction may be detected even in healthy young women. Multidimensional training, however, may significantly improve PFM function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal and Geriatric Medicine, Hochzirl Hospital, 6170 Zirl, Austria. helena.talasz@tilak.at
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Talasz
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kalchschmid
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kofler
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lechleitner
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult