Immediate Effect of Active Abdominal Contraction on Inter-recti Distance

Abstract

Parous women had a narrower IRD in the curl-up condition than at rest, as hypothesized. However, an unexpected finding of a lack of significant within-group change in IRD in nulliparous women and men occurred. Findings suggest that the IRD in men may only differ from that of nulliparous women.

Effects of posture and anatomical location on inter-recti distance measured using ultrasound imaging in parous women

“…8,25 Abdominal muscle exercises to correct a DRA use the direction and attachment of the abdominal muscle fibres to draw the rectus muscles together and thereby reduce the linea alba width. 5,11,26 There is, however, no evidence that the linea alba width itself can be reduced and current research suggests a head-lift may actually slacken or bulge the linea alba rather than shorten it. 20 Therefore the relevance of measuring the IRD in the non-functional position of crook-lying is questionable.…”

“…12,14,19,26 However, for up to 40% of parous women the IRD is still wider than normal one year post-delivery 9,12,19,26 and years later 37 . A DRA can affect the integrity of the myofascial system 19 , lead to poor posture, 6 abdominal muscle dysfunction, 11 reduced lumbopelvic stability, 20,36 reduced pelvic floor support 5,37 and a less cosmetic appearance of the abdomen. 20,26,29 Rehabilitation using abdominal muscle exercises may reduce these effects in women with a DRA 5 .…”

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

“…While ultrasonography is the measurement instrument of choice for valid and reliable measures,5 current evidence supports sufficient intrarater reliability for the more clinically available palpation method, as well 6. Caliper measurements have also demonstrated validity when compared with ultrasonographic measurements 7…”

“…6 Caliper measurements have also demonstrated validity when compared with ultrasonographic measurements. 7 Further complicating comparisons across studies, consensus around DRA diagnostic criteria is not well established. Until recently, criteria centered around measures of IRD, capturing 1.5-to 2.7-cm distance between the medial borders of the 2 rectus abdominis muscle bellies as defining values.…”

Diastasis recti in the Beninese population: Cross-sectional study from normal values to diagnosis

“…The median IRD values measured at rest using ultrasound were 12 ± 5 mm in men, 14 ± 6 mm in nulliparous women and 21 ± 12 mm in postpartum women. In men, Chiarello et al (2016) Ojukwu et al (2021). The large disparity between the IRD values measured in these studies can be partially explained by the level of the measurement along the linea alba.…”