Relationship between aerobic capacity and pelvic floor muscles function: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Exercise Science
• Women's Health

Background:

• Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function is crucial for various physiological processes.
• Aerobic capacity, often measured by oxygen consumption at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VO2VAT), reflects cardiovascular fitness.
• The relationship between PFM function and aerobic capacity in healthy adult women is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function and aerobic capacity in adult women.
• To determine if PFM contraction pressure can predict aerobic capacity metrics.

Main Methods:

• Forty-one healthy adult women completed a habitual physical activity (HPA) questionnaire.
• PFM function was assessed using palpation and perineometry.
• Cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) testing was performed to determine the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and measure VO2VAT.
• An age-adjusted multiple linear regression model was used to predict VO2VAT from PFM contraction pressure.

Main Results:

• Significant positive correlations were found between PFM contraction pressure and VO2VAT (r=0.55) and HPA score (r=0.38).
• Aerobic capacity (VO2VAT) showed a negative correlation with age (r=-0.25) and a positive correlation with HPA score (r=0.36).
• A validated regression equation demonstrated that PFM contraction pressure could predict VO2VAT in healthy women.

Conclusions:

• Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function is significantly associated with aerobic capacity in healthy women.
• PFM contraction pressure serves as a reliable predictor of VO2VAT in this population.
• These findings suggest a potential link between lower body strength and cardiorespiratory fitness.