Acute effect of Sit-up versus Curl-up on the interrecti distance: A cross-sectional study in parous women

Diastasis Recti Abdominis Rehabilitation in the Postpartum Period: A Scoping Review of Current Clinical Practice

“…The reviewed studies had varying sample sizes (3–129) and used different cut-off points for DRA diagnosis, such as 2.0 cm [ 29 – 32 ], 2.2 cm [ 12 ], or 2.5 cm [ 33 – 37 ] above the umbilicus during rest, and 1.5–3.0 cm above the umbilicus during a head-lift or curl-up [ 38 – 40 ]. Three studies proposed cut-offs of two finger-widths at the umbilicus [ 21 ] or anywhere in the midline [ 23 , 41 ] during a head-lift and subsequently assessed with ultrasound, whereas 12 studies did not use any cut-off points [ 22 , 37 , 42 – 51 ].…”

“…2 ). Although most samples had ultrasound-measured [ 12 , 21 – 23 , 30 – 34 , 36 , 37 , 41 , 43 , 46 – 51 ] or caliper-measured [ 29 , 35 , 38 – 40 , 42 – 45 , 52 ] IRDs between 2.5 and 5 cm, two studies [ 43 , 47 ] encompassed IRDs <2.5 cm, whereas one case series [ 52 ] included women with IRDs >7 cm. However, 7 studies [ 21 , 23 , 32 , 34 , 37 , 45 , 48 ] included postpartum women with combined normal and borderline IRD, according to established classification systems [ 1 ].…”

“…In clinical trials, the IRD was assessed under various conditions, including rest [ 23 , 33 , 37 , 47 , 48 ], head-lift [ 35 , 38 , 52 ], curl-up maneuver [ 29 , 39 , 40 , 42 – 44 ], or combinations [ 21 , 45 , 46 ]. Observational studies also utilized combinations of rest and head-lift/curl-up maneuvers [ 30 , 32 , 49 ] with additional conditions, such as TrA [ 12 , 50 , 51 ] and PFM contractions [ 31 , 36 ], sit-ups [ 38 ], leg raise or side planks [ 41 ], and abdominal hypopressive exercises (AHEs) [ 22 ]. One study [ 34 ] provided no information about the position/condition of patients during the assessment.…”

“…In an observational study [ 36 ], a head-lift maneuver seemed to have a similar effect to a twisted curl-up exercise on IRD reduction. Djivoh and De Jaeger [ 38 ], however, observed a significant IRD decrease during curl-ups and sit-ups compared with head-lifts. DRA reduction during curl-up in women with vaginal deliveries and in those with cesarean sections was found to be similar [ 50 ].…”

“…• ADIM+SCU–AHE at S-point (21.7%, p =0.041). Decreased occurrence of distortion ×ADIM+SCU-SCU at I (28.3%, p =0.023) and S point (28.3%%, p =0.045) Djivoh and De Jaeger [ 38 ] Cross-sectional study/IRD assessment during tasks using a caliper N =42 parous women/age 28−54/IRD >15 mm at 20 mm above the umbilicus during a head-lift, mean IRD at 20 mm above the umbilicus during a head-lift 20.3±3.9 mm Delivery mode not reported/primi- and multi-parous/7 months to >10 years pp Measurements during head-lift, curl-up, sit-up, drawing-in + curl-up Single test Single test Drop-outs: n =23/all other participants ( n =19) completed the assessment IRD/measured by caliper at 20 mm above the umbilicus Significant decrease in IRD during curl-up 8.1±2.6 mm ( p <0.001) and sit-up 8.2±3.0 mm ( p <0.001) compared with head-lift. No significant decrease in IRD during drawing-in + curl-up compared with head-lift.…”