Exercise Program Reduces Inter-Recti Distance in Female Runners Up to 2 Years Postpartum

Deering, Rita; Chumanov, Elizabeth S.; Stiffler-Joachim, Mikel R.; Heiderscheit, Bryan C.

doi:10.1097/jwh.0000000000000157

Cited by 7 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Two studies25,26 used a 2-cm IRD threshold, and 2 studies27,28 used a 2.5-cm threshold. A single study29 defined thresholds specific to linea alba site, and 3 studies18,30,31 did not specify how they defined DRA. Outcome measurements for IRD were variable across studies, as well.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, type of exercise varied across studies (Table 3). Studies tested the effects of abdominal draw-in/static abdominal contraction exercises,18,22–24,26 bridging,19,29,30 head lift,18,25,28 4-point arm lift,19 forms of controlled leg raise/lift,19,23,25,27,29 pelvic clock rotations,18 pelvic floor muscle exercises/Kegels,20,22,26,31 plank,22,23,25,26,29–31 posterior pelvic tilt,18,26,27,31 postural positioning/correction,23,25 reverse trunk twist/u-seat/Russian twist,26,28,31 sit-ups/reverse sit-ups,22,26–28 and squats 18,28. Adjunct modalities included abdominal binding22,23 controlled breathing/exhalation,19,25,26,28 education,19,21,30 electrical stimulation,27,28 and taping 24…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Outcome measurements for IRD were variable across studies, as well. Five studies [18][19][20]22,25 used 2-finger palpation to measure IRD; 6 studies 21,23,24,28,29,31 used ultrasonography to determine IRD; and the remaining 3 studies 26,27,30 used dial calipers for IRD measurements.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Attrition was an issue for 2 studies. 25,30 Among the 5 pre-to postintervention studies (OCEBM 32 level III evidence), 4 studies 18,19,27,29 were rated as fair and 1 study 20 was rated as poor (see Supplemental Digital Content Table 5, available at: http://links.lww.com/JWHPT/A69). None of the studies reported whether the sample size was sufficiently large to provide confidence in the findings, nor was it clear from any of the studies whether the outcomes assessor was blinded to the study aims or participant exposures.…”

Section: Journal Of Women's Health Physical Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Use of Exercise in the Management of Postpartum Diastasis Recti: A Systematic Review

Berg‐Poppe

Hauer

Jones

et al. 2022

Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Journal Of Women's Health Physical Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Use of Exercise in the Management of Postpartum Diastasis Recti: A Systematic Review

Berg‐Poppe

Hauer

Jones

et al. 2022

Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy

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“…[128][129][130] Rehabilitation of all muscles of the abdominal wall is essential, as trunk flexion and rotation and lumbopelvic stabilization have been shown to be impaired following childbirth. [128][129][130] Conflicting evidence exists on which exercises are best to reduce interrecti distance in the long term [131][132][133][134] ; however, ultrasonographic studies suggest that performing an abdominal draw-in maneuver prior to an abdominal curl-up reduces linea alba distortion. 135,136 Therefore, abdominal draw-in maneuver exercises start in phase I of the framework, and curl-up exercises (only in the absence of abdominal doming) are added in phase II.…”

Section: Exercise Prescriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rehabilitation of the Postpartum Runner: A 4-Phase Approach

Christopher

Gallagher

Olson³

et al. 2022

Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy

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Running after childbirth, specifically how or when to return, is a hot topic in the field of physical therapy and on social media; however, there are significant gaps in the literature supporting when and how to safely initiate running postpartum. During pregnancy and following childbirth (both vaginal and cesarean), the body undergoes changes that may impact strength, neuromuscular control, endurance, and the ability to withstand the high-impact forces and repetitive nature of running. Many mothers experience new or worsened symptoms of musculoskeletal or pelvic floor dysfunction following pregnancy and childbirth and require physical therapy to normalize function. After most major injuries, it is common to participate in formalized rehabilitation; however, this is not the norm for athletes returning to running postchildbirth. Because of lack of evidence, many runners and clinicians struggle to develop appropriate rehabilitation progressions for return to running after childbirth. Pelvic and sports physical therapists must understand biomechanical features of running gait and safely progress strength, endurance, and neuromuscular control of the kinetic chain when guiding a runner BACKGROUNDRunning is becoming more popular during and after pregnancy. About 70% of runners who become pregnant continue to run during pregnancy. 1 After childbirth, runners commonly resume running between 2 weeks and 2 months postpartum. 1,2 Runners who

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

Skoura,

Billis,

Papanikolaou

et al. 2024

Int Urogynecol J

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Introduction and hypothesis Despite exercise being the standard approach to diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) rehabilitation, there is no consensus on the most effective exercise routine and adjunct modalities for reducing DRA and improving functional parameters. The present study is aimed at investigating evidence for DRA rehabilitation in postpartum women, as well as knowledge gaps and areas for future research. Methods For this scoping review a systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and PEDro up to November 2022. Selection criteria included studies investigating exercise therapy interventions both with and without adjunct modalities for postpartum DRA. Sample characteristics, diagnostic criteria, program design, and outcome measures were recorded. Critical appraisal of clinical trials was performed using PEDro classification. Results Twenty-eight studies were included: 14 clinical trials, 3 case series, and 11 observational studies. DRA exercises that focused on deep and superficial muscles, pelvic floor muscles, respiratory maneuvers, functional exercises, or alternative interventions (yoga, suspension training, hypopressive exercise) and adjunct modalities showed promising results in reducing the inter-recti distance and related dysfunction. However, there was great variability in diagnostic criteria and methods, DRA severity, time post-birth, and exercise program design. Conclusions Reviewed studies provide valuable insights into exercise therapy, but it is important to recognize their limitations, as variability in diagnostic criteria, sample characteristics, and exercise program design hinder the generalizability of the findings. Further high-quality research is needed to strengthen the evidence in this area and provide reliable recommendations for clinical practice.

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Exercise Program Reduces Inter-Recti Distance in Female Runners Up to 2 Years Postpartum

Cited by 7 publications

References 44 publications

Use of Exercise in the Management of Postpartum Diastasis Recti: A Systematic Review

Use of Exercise in the Management of Postpartum Diastasis Recti: A Systematic Review

Rehabilitation of the Postpartum Runner: A 4-Phase Approach

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

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