The effect of the correlation between the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and diaphragmatic motion during breathing

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the correlation between the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and diaphragmatic motion during breathing. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 20 healthy female students who listened to an explanation of the study methods, purpose and agreed to participate in the experiment. [Methods] Radiograph equipment was used to examine diaphragmatic motion with contraction of the PFM during breathing, and a spirometer was used to examine lung vital capacity. [Results] The results revealed a significant change in the diaphragmatic motion and pulmonary function (FEV1, MVV). FEV1 and MVV showed significant differences when the PFM was contracted. Diaphragmatic motion showed a significant difference when the PFM was contracted. [Conclusion] Diaphragmatic motion and contraction of the PFM correlate with breathing. In addition, breathing is much more effective during contraction of the PFM. Therefore, PFM strengthening exercises should be included in respiratory rehabilitation programs.

Urinary Incontinence in Women: Modern Methods of Physiotherapy as a Support for Surgical Treatment or Independent Therapy

“…Studies have shown that pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) together with internal oblique, intercostal muscles, transverse abdominal muscle, and diaphragm are responsible for maintaining proper body posture and breathing [32,33]. Due to numerous myofascial connections between PFM and other muscles all movements are functionally linked, and throughout this system, PFM exists as the basis for local stabilization [33,34]. For this reason, myofascial disorders as well as posture disorders can lead to impaired PFM function and, consequently, their weakness and UI [35].…”

Knowledge of the pelvic floor in nulliparous women

“…The pelvic floor (PF) is a well-defined muscular structure that plays a role in several important urological, gynecological, gastroenterological, and pulmonary functions 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) . Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) can lead to mild or even devastating consequences such as urinary incontinence (UI), fecal incontinence (FI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and sexual problems 6 ) .…”

Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions on Pelvic Floor Muscle Function of Pregnant and Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review of Reviews

“…The reasons behind the disorders of pelvic oor muscles can be caused by dysfunctions in the pelvic area, 47 but the reasons can also be found elsewhere, for example in breathing. 48 Even though the exercise interventions seemed to be effective, the differences between intervention and control groups vanished in the late postnatal period. 24 This is an interesting nding, because the evaluations of the number of women suffering from disorders related to pelvic oor muscle function in the long term are quite high.…”