Effects of axial extension on pelvic floor displacement and abdominal muscle activity during a pelvic floor muscle task

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effects of axial extension on pelvic floor displacement and abdominal muscle activity during pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises are not well known. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effect of sitting axial extension on pelvic floor displacement and abdominal muscle activity during a PFM task. METHODS: Pelvic floor displacement, abdominal muscle activity, and subjective kinesthesia of the PFM were compared between the resting and axial-extended sitting positions during a pelvic floor task in 34 healthy young men. RESULTS: No significant difference in pelvic floor displacement was observed between the resting and axial extension sitting position. Subjective kinesthesia was significantly easier to perform in axial extension than in resting sitting position during pelvic floor depression. Abdominal oblique muscle activity was higher in axial extension than in resting sitting position during pelvic floor depression. The changes in axial extension were significantly greater in the internal oblique muscles during elevation and in the internal and external oblique muscles during depression than in the lower rectus abdominis muscles. CONCLUSION: Axial extension in the sitting position does not change pelvic floor displacement during the PFM task. However, axial extension may be effective in facilitating subjective kinesthesia of PFM and in increasing oblique abdominal muscle activity.