Pelvic Floor Function, Core Stability And Aerobic Capacity In Postpartum Women Following Functional Training

Abstract

After pregnancy and delivery, dysfunctions, such as alterations in pelvic floor function (PFF), core stability (CS), and aerobic capacity (AC), are common in postpartum women. PURPOSE: To observe the differences in PFF, CS, and AC in postpartum women before and after an 8-week functional training program. METHODS: Sixteen postpartum women (age: 32±3.0years, ≤ 1 year post-delivery) completed an 8-week functional training intervention (60 minutes each time, 4 times per week). The functional training including pelvic floor muscle bio-feedback training, T-spine mobility exercise, breathing exercises and inner core activation. Before and after the intervention, a pelvic floor bio-feedback test (PFBFT) was used to assess PFF, a Y-balance test (YBT) and a abdomen muscle endurance test (AMET) were used to assess the CS, and a 3-minute step test (ST) were used to assess the AC. During the YBT, values on three directions (A-anterior, PM-posteromedial, and PL-posterolateral) bilaterally were we measured. And, during the AME, three muscle groups (F-Flexor, E-Extensor and bilateral lateral flexor-LFL&LFR) were recorded. Paired t-tests were used to compare the pre- and post-intervention values of all variables. RESULTS: There were significant differences in pre- and post-intervention values of all variables in these postpartum women following 8-week functional training. Specifically, the PFBFT composite score was improved by 33.8% (p<0.01), the YBT scores for the directions of AL, PL, PMR, PLL and PLR were improved by 13.4%, 13.2%, 7.1% 13.5%, and 8.5%, respectively (all p<0.01), the AMET scores for abdomen E, F, LFL and LFR were improved by 56.6%, 30%, 26.5% and 30.1%, respectively (all p<0.01), and the ST score was improved by 19.9% (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week functional training program, improved PFF, AC and CS in postpartum women. Future randomized, controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.