Abstract
Background and objective: Prior studies have reported an activation of abdominal muscles during hypopressive exercises in women with pelvic floor disfunction. However, no previous research analyzed the effects of hypopressive exercise on abdominal muscles in healthy populations to understand the normal biomechanics of this area. The aim of this study was to examine the thickness of abdominal muscles at rest and during hypopressive exercise in supine and standing positions with ultrasound imaging in healthy adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 99 healthy university students. The thickness of the abdominal muscles at rest and during hypopressive exercise was assessed with ultrasound imaging in supine and standing positions. Results: During hypopressive exercise, there was a significant increase in the muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (p < 0.001) and internal oblique (p < 0.001) in supine and standing positions. External oblique only increased its thickness significantly in the standing position (p < 0.001) and rectus abdominis did not change during the hypopressive exercise in any position (p > 0.05). In conclusion, hypopressive exercises seem to increase the thickness of the deepest and most stabilized muscles such as transversus abdominis and internal oblique. Conclusions: These findings should be considered for future interventions with hypopressive exercises in healthy subjects.
Highlights
The Hypopressive exercises (HE) can be performed in different positions such as supine, seated or standing, and arms and legs can variate their positions through different movements too [1]
The results of this study suggest that HE is able to significantly increase the thickness of the deep abdominal muscles, such as transversus abdominis and internal oblique, both in supine and standing positions
Previous research studied the effect of HE in abdominal muscles using surface electromyography and demonstrated an activation in the whole abdominal wall [4,5,22]
Summary
The HE can be performed in different positions such as supine, seated or standing, and arms and legs can variate their positions through different movements too [1] This performance in combination with apnea and pressure changes has been described as able to activate the postural muscles, such as the deep abdominal muscles and PFM [3]. For this reason, HE have been largely used in the treatment of PFM dysfunctions, such as urinary incontinence, and specially in postpartum women with benefits in the pelvic and abdominal area [1,2,3]. The aim of this study was to examine the thickness of abdominal muscles at rest and during hypopressive exercise in supine and standing positions with ultrasound imaging in healthy adults. The thickness of the abdominal muscles at rest and during hypopressive exercise was assessed with ultrasound imaging in supine and standing positions
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