A comparison of abdominal muscles fatigue in women after vaginal birth, women after caesarean section, and a control group. A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction. To investigate fatiguability of abdominal muscles in women after natural childbirth and caesarean section compared with a control group in the prone bridge (plank) test. Methods. The study involved 11 women after natural childbirth, 8 women after caesarean section, and 8 women who had not been pregnant and had not given birth. After completing a personal questionnaire and qualification in a functional examination, the participants performed the prone bridge (plank) test. A 4-lead surface electromyograph was used for the study of rectus abdominis muscles and internal oblique/transversus abdominis muscles. Results. There were no statistically significant differences between the right and left side of the body (p < 0.05). There were no differences in muscle fatigue parameters between the groups in the prone bridge test (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Electromyographic parameters of abdominal muscles fatigue are similar in women after natural childbirth, women after caesarean section, and those who have not given birth. Caesarean section in asymptomatic women does not affect the deterioration of abdominal muscle strength in plank exercise.

Prone plank test base core muscle strength contribution to anticipate the risk of ankle injury for soccer player

“…Once the respondent maintains the correct position, the stopwatch starts, and for seconds the subject held that position. the subject is declared failed if the hips fall to the floor because the back cannot hold, or the subject cannot hold its shape for 120 seconds [26][27][28][29].…”