Assessment of Abdominal Muscle Exercises in Non-Pregnant, Pregnant and Postpartum Subjects, Using Electromyography

Booth, Denise; Chennells, Mary; Jones, Deirdre; Price, Angie

doi:10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60810-2

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The capacity of the respiratory muscles to develop pressure therefore seems preserved, even though the geometry of the chest wall is signifi-cantly affected during pregnancy. Abdominal muscles lengthen and change their muscle insertions while preserving force development (11,25,68). The diaphragm is shifted cranially at the end of pregnancy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptation of lung, chest wall, and respiratory muscles during pregnancy: preparing for birth

LoMauro

Aliverti

Frykholm

et al. 2019

Journal of Applied Physiology

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A plethora of physiological and biochemical changes occur during normal pregnancy. The changes in the respiratory system have not been as well elucidated, in part because radioimaging is usually avoided during pregnancy. We aimed to use several noninvasive methods to characterize the adaptation of the respiratory system during the full course of pregnancy in preparation for childbirth. Eighteen otherwise healthy women (32.3 ± 2.8 yr) were recruited during early pregnancy. Spirometry, optoelectronic plethysmography, and ultrasonography were used to study changes in chest wall geometry, breathing pattern, lung and thoraco-abdominal volume variations, and diaphragmatic thickness in the first, second, and third trimesters. A group of nonpregnant women were used as control subjects. During the course of pregnancy, we observed a reorganization of rib cage geometry, in shape but not in volume. Despite the growing uterus, there was no lung restriction (forced vital capacity: 101 ± 15% predicted), but we did observe reduced rib cage expansion. Breathing frequency and diaphragmatic contribution to tidal volume and inspiratory capacity increased. Diaphragm thickness was maintained (1st trimester: 2.7 ± 0.8 mm, 3rd trimester: 2.5 ± 0.9 mm; P = 0.187), possibly indicating a conditioning effect to compensate for the effects of the growing uterus. We conclude that pregnancy preserved lung volumes, abdominal muscles, and the diaphragm at the expense of rib cage muscles. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Noninvasive analysis of the kinematics of the chest wall and the diaphragm during resting conditions in pregnant women revealed significant changes in the pattern of thoracoabdominal breathing across the trimesters. That is, concomitant with the progressive changes of chest wall shape, the diaphragm increased its contribution to both spontaneous and maximal breathing, maintaining its thickness despite its lengthening due to the growing uterus. These results suggest that during pregnancy the diaphragm is conditioned to optimize its active role provided during parturition.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptation of lung, chest wall, and respiratory muscles during pregnancy: preparing for birth

LoMauro

Aliverti

Frykholm

et al. 2019

Journal of Applied Physiology

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“…Maintaining abdominal muscle tone is the key to providing support for the spine. Electromyographic studies reveal that back lying curl ups are the safest and most effective abdominal exercises for the pregnant woman (Boothe, 1982). From a sitting position, the woman gently rolls her back down until she is at a 45°a ngle to the floor.…”

Section: Exercisementioning

confidence: 99%

Protecting the Back during Pregnancy

Jacobson¹

1991

AAOHN Journal

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“…Extensive distension of the abdominal muscle can damage its force vector reducing its contraction capacity 4) . However, in the literature [5][6][7] , there are few studies of the effect of this separation on abdominal strength capacity and its consequences for functionality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pregnancy Inter-Recti Abdominis Distance Has No Impact on Respiratory Strength

et al. 2011

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This study compared the association between the Inter-Recti Abdominis Distance (IRD) and respiratory muscle strength in primiparous women and determined the prevalence of IRD rise in primiparous compared to nulliparous women. [Subjects] One hundred and twenty pregnant women and forty non-pregnant women participated in this study. IRD was measured by a digital caliper 4.5 cm above and below the umbilicus, as well as at the umbilical level. Respiratory strength was measured as maximum inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) pressures using a digital pressure transducer. [Results] There was no correlation between PImax and PEmax at any of the abdominal anatomical levels assessed, despite a positive correlation being found for IRD and the length of the gestation weeks. Nulligesta IRD of nulliparous women values were lower than those of pregnant women at all the three umbilical levels. Prevalence values varied from 27.5% to 99% depending on the literature values used. IRD rises with duration of pregnancy but doesn't interfere with the PImax and PEmax. [Conclusion] Since there is no evidence in the literature for an accurate cutoff point to identify pathological IRD there is a need to define reliable patterns as a reference for diagnosing pathologic IRD according to age and gender.

show abstract

Assessment of Abdominal Muscle Exercises in Non-Pregnant, Pregnant and Postpartum Subjects, Using Electromyography

Cited by 4 publications

References 9 publications

Adaptation of lung, chest wall, and respiratory muscles during pregnancy: preparing for birth

Adaptation of lung, chest wall, and respiratory muscles during pregnancy: preparing for birth

Protecting the Back during Pregnancy

Pregnancy Inter-Recti Abdominis Distance Has No Impact on Respiratory Strength

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