Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the maximal strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles in a cohort of women with no history of incontinence; and to determine the effect of age, parity, hormonal status, previous gynaecological surgery and regular performance of pelvic floor muscle exercises on the strength and endurance of these muscles.

DESIGN:

Preliminary cross-sectional observational study.

SETTING:

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS:

Twenty-eight women aged 19 to 58 years, 16 of whom were under 40 years of age. Participants were excluded if they had a history of incontinence or were currently menstruating.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES:

Pelvic floor muscle strength assessed using a perineometer, and pelvic floor muscle endurance above 60% of maximal voluntary contraction.

SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:

The effect of age, parity, hormonal status, previous gynaecological surgery and regular performance of pelvic floor muscle exercises on the strength and endurance of these muscles.

RESULTS:

Maximum strength of the pelvic floor muscles was not correlated with endurance (r=0.21, P=0.290) or age (r=-0.31, P=0.107); however, it was influenced by parity (r=-0.44, P=0.020). Endurance was significantly and positively correlated with age (r=0.38, P=0.048).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides preliminary data that age and parity may be important factors in pelvic floor muscle performance in women who are continent. A larger study that considers the variability associated with these variables will provide useful guidelines for prescription of exercise.

Copyright © 2010 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.