The impact of the pelvic floor muscles on dynamic ventilation maneuvers

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) on dynamic ventilation maneuvers. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 19 healthy female adults in their 20s who consented to participate in the present study. Electromyography (EMG) was used to examine respiratory muscle activity, and a spirometer was used to examine vital capacity before and during contraction of the PFM. [Results] There were statistically significant differences in the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) when the PFM was contracted. [Conclusion] Contraction of the PFM can be effective in promoting activation of the respiratory muscles and vital capacity. Therefore, the PFM should be considered to improve the effects of respiratory activity.

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 ) .…”

Inappropriate pelvic floor muscle activation during forced exhalation and coughing in elderly female inpatients with urinary incontinence

“…The role of the PFMs with respect to respiration was not included explicitly in the report of the Pelvic Floor Clinical Assessment Group of the International Continence Society in 2005 [6], nor in more recent guidelines on this topic [22]. Meanwhile, evidence has become sufficiently strong to acknowledge and emphasise the complex synergies of the PFMs in connection with breathing and coughing manoeuvres [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][26][27][28][29][30].…”

Breathing, (S)Training and the Pelvic Floor—A Basic Concept

“…Quiet breathing occurs largely independent of conscious perception [ 31 ] by means of continuous phase-locked activity of the autonomously innervated deep trunk muscles with an always-open glottis to allow airflow into and out of the lungs. However, in situations with higher sympathetic activity, throughout strenuous efforts or aerobic activities, in the course of protective reflexes, such as sneezing and coughing, or during other activities that require adaptation of the breathing, such as laughing, speaking, or singing, respiration becomes stronger [ 31 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. To ensure the body’s increased demands for oxygen, the magnitude of both inspiratory and expiratory movements of the thoracic diaphragm increase [ 13 , 30 , 31 , 35 , 36 ].…”

“…Activation of the superficial inspiratory muscles in the cervical and thoracic regions [ 30 ] ensures greater thoracic expansion; thus, more inflow of air into the lungs during inspiration. The superficial abdominal muscles act powerfully on the ribs to reduce the thoracic and abdominal dimensions [ 7 , 30 , 39 ] ( Figure 2 ). The somatic nervous system control allows them to influence the amount and pressure of expelled air in different variations [ 16 , 37 , 39 , 40 ].…”

“…The superficial abdominal muscles act powerfully on the ribs to reduce the thoracic and abdominal dimensions [ 7 , 30 , 39 ] ( Figure 2 ). The somatic nervous system control allows them to influence the amount and pressure of expelled air in different variations [ 16 , 37 , 39 , 40 ].…”