Effects of a 6-week pelvic floor muscle training on neuromuscular activity in healthy young men: a pilot study

The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) play a crucial role in urinary continence and sexual function. Regular training of PFM has been extensively studied and is widely recommended to maintain a high quality of life, particularly among women. However, there is a notable lack of information regarding the effectiveness of PFM exercises in men. This study aimed to evaluate changes in neuromuscular activity of the PFM in men before and after a 6-week PFM training program. The exercises were performed independently by the participants and integrated into their regular strength-training routines as a short 5-10 min isolated PFM sessions. The study included 16 men aged 23 ± 4 years (M ± SD), who were healthy and did not report symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction confirmed by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Neuromuscular activity of the PFM was assessed using surface electromyography (EMG) with anal probe (Lifecare Anal Probe PR-06), employing the TeleMyoTM2400 (DTS) system from NORAXON. The EMG assessment protocol included 11 voluntary PFM contractions followed by relaxations, based on the Glazer's protocol. Immediately after the first EMG assessment, participants performed PFM contractions and relaxations using the biofeedback method. The same protocol was repeated after 6 weeks of training program. After the 6-weeks, a significant improvement was observed in all performed contractions. The mean amplitude of five 3-s quick contractions increased from 7.94 μV to 12.72 μV (p = 0.006; ES: r = 0.68). For five 10-s contractions, the mean value improved from 7.8 μV to 13.32 μV (p = 0.001; ES: r = 0.82). The 60-s hold contraction showed an increase from 6.39 μV to 10 μV (p = 0.001; ES: r = 0.82). Positive effects on neuromuscular activity of the PFM in men were observed after a 6-week training program. Regular performance of PFM exercises may be beneficial for maintaining the health and physiological functions associated with this muscle group. Therefore, such training should be widely recommended in men.