Intra-abdominal pressure and pelvic floor muscle activation observed during hypopressive exercises performed in...

(1) To evaluate whether hypopressive exercises (HEs) cause changes in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and/or electromyographic (EMG) activation of the levator ani muscles (LAMs), (2) to determine whether these effects differ when HEs are performed with vs without a hypopressive posture and (3) to determine if there is an association between change in IAP and activation of the LAMs during the performance of HEs.

Cross-sectional, observational.

Thirty-six females naïve to HEs.

Two HE training sessions, two weeks of practice, one laboratory-based data collection session.

Changes in IAP and EMG amplitude of the LAMs normalized to the peak smoothed EMG amplitude measured during a maximum voluntary contraction (% MVC).

Intra-abdominal pressure did not reduce during the performance of the HE. The mean (SD) IAP changed by -1.1(3.3) cmH2O (95% confidence interval -2.0 to 0.2 cm H2O) in the supine Demeters posture and the mean (SD) IAP changed by -2.9(8.4) cmH2O (95% confidence interval -5.6 to 0.2 cmH2O) in the standing Athenas posture. LAM activation in supine was (median, interquartile range) 37( 20 to 52)%MVC while in standing it was 47(16 to 60)%MVC. There was no effect of body position or the hypopressive posture on either outcome in either position. There was also no association between the extent of change in IAP and the extent of increase in LAM activation during the HEs.

HE maneuvers performed with or without beginner hypopressive postures do not reduce IAP yet do cause LAM activation in females. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.