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Effect of abdominal and pelvic floor tasks on muscle activity, abdominal pressure and bladder neck

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

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).

Conclusion

Bladder neck elevation was only observed when the activity of PFM EMG was high relative to the IAP increase.

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Abbreviations

ASIS:

Anterior superior iliac spine

APFQ:

Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire

EMG:

Electromyography

Hz:

Hertz

IAP:

Intra-abdominal pressure

kHz:

Kilohertz

lowTrA:

Lower TrA

MHz:

Megahertz

midTrA:

Middle TrA

OE:

Obliquus externus abdominis muscle

OI:

Obliquus internus abdominis muscle

PUS:

Perineal ultrasound

RA:

Rectus abdominis muscle

RMS:

Root mean square

TrA:

Transversus abdominis muscle

VAL:

Valsalva

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Acknowledgement

Paul Hodges is an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow (Australian National Health and Medical Research Council).

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 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, 4072

    Baerbel Junginger, Ruth Sapsford & Paul W. Hodges

  2. Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany

    Baerbel Junginger & Kaven Baessler

Authors
  1. Baerbel Junginger
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  2. Kaven Baessler
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  3. Ruth Sapsford
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  4. Paul W. Hodges
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Correspondence to Paul W. Hodges.

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Junginger, B., Baessler, K., Sapsford, R. et al. Effect of abdominal and pelvic floor tasks on muscle activity, abdominal pressure and bladder neck. Int Urogynecol J 21, 69–77 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0981-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0981-z

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