![]() These muscles together with the ligaments are responsible for sustaining the pelvic organs and for maintaining the closure of the urogenital hiatus. When the levator ani activates, its resultant force, in a ventrocephalic direction, compresses the rectum, distal vagina, and urethra behind the pubic bone, resulting in an elevation of the urethrovesical neck. The levator ani muscles play a well-defined role in urinary and fecal continence. Pelvic floor dysfunctions, such as pelvic organ prolapse and urinary and fecal incontinence, are conditions that are likely to affect over 60% of all women at some point in their lives. Therefore, so far, the use of hip adduction or abduction in PFM training and treatments are not justified for improving PFM strength and endurance. PFM contraction combined with isometric hip abduction did not increase vaginal force in healthy and nulliparous women compared to PFM contraction combined with isometric hip adduction. All variables did not differ between hip conditions both in 30% and 50% of maximum hip force (p>.05). We compared both conditions gradients in 30% and 50% by paired t-tests. ![]() We calculated a gradient between the isolated PFM contraction and each hip condition (Δ Adduction and Δ Abduction) for all variables: Maximum force (N), instant of maximum-force occurrence (s), mean force in an 8-second window (N), and PFM force loss (N.s). Data were sampled at 100Hz and subtracted from the offset if existent. Twenty healthy, nulliparous women were evaluated using two strain-gauge dynamometers (one cylinder-like inside the vaginal cavity, and the other measuring hip adduction/abduction forces around both thighs) while performing three different tasks: (a) isolated PFM contraction (b) PFM contraction combined with hip adduction (30% and 50% maximum hip force) and (c) PFM contraction combined with hip abduction (30% and 50% maximum hip force). Based on a theoretical anatomy approach whereby the levator ani muscle is inserted into the obturator internus myofascia and in which force generated by hip movements should increase the contraction quality of PFMs, our aim was to investigate the effects of isometric hip adduction and abduction on PFM force generation. Health professionals frequently combine classic PFM exercises with hip adduction/abduction contraction to treat these disorders, but the real benefits of this practice are still unknown. ![]() Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) force and coordination are related to urinary incontinence severity and to sexual satisfaction.
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