Are transversus abdominis/oblique internal and pelvic floor muscles coactivated during pregnancy and postpartum?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to simultaneously evaluate both transversus abdominis/internal oblique (Tra/IO) and pelvic floor muscles (PFM) during isometric exercises in nulliparous, pregnant, and postpartum women.


METHODS
The study included 81 women divided into four groups: (G1) nulliparous women without urinary symptoms (n = 20); (G2) primigravid pregnant women with gestational age ≥24 weeks (n = 25); (G3) primiparous postpartum women after vaginal delivery with right mediolateral episiotomy (n = 19); (G4) primiparous postpartum women after cesarean section delivery, with 40 to 60 days of postpartum (n = 17). The assessment consisted of simultaneous surface electromyography (EMGs) of the PFM and Tra/IO, during three isometric maximum voluntary contractions.


RESULTS
Only nulliparous women presented significant simultaneous Tra/IO and PFM co-activation when asked to contract PFM (P = 0.0007) or Tra/IO (P = 0.00001).


CONCLUSIONS
There is co-activation of the transversus abdominis/internal oblique and the pelvic floor muscles in young, asymptomatic nulliparous women. This pattern was modified in primigravid pregnant and primiparous postpartum women regardless of the delivery mode.
Faculty of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Larissa Carvalho
LC
Pereira
Simone
S
Botelho
Joseane
J
Marques
Cesar Ferreira
CF
Amorim
Ana Helena
AH
Lanza
Paulo
P
Palma
Cassio
C
Riccetto
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004576:Electromyography; D004841:Episiotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D010298:Parity; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014836:Volition; D055815:Young Adult