Effects of the physical activity on function of the pelvic floor muscles in pregnant women: a randomized controlled

• Grant number: 11/20940-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Driusso
• Grantee: Patricia Driusso
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Carlos

Abstract

The literature data demonstrate the benefits resulting from regular physical exercise during pregnancy, both for the mother and the baby. However, with respect to the pelvic floor muscles, little is known about the influence of physical activity practice during pregnancy on electromyographyc activity of these muscles. Thus, the aim is study the effect of regular physical activity, with and without emphasis on training the pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy on the function of these muscles. We will select 80 pregnant women in the 1st trimester of pregnancy and prenatal care. The pregnant women will be allocated randomly to one of two groups: Prenatal + conventional practice of physical activity with emphasis on training the pelvic floor muscles (n=40); Prenatal + conventional practice of physical activity without emphasis on training the pelvic floor muscles (n=40). The volunteers will be evaluated for pelvic floor muscles activity, through electromyography, in five separate times, between 12th -16th, 24th -28th and 34th -36th week of gestation and at 6 and 24 weeks postpartum. The results of this work will contribute scientifically to the development of a therapeutic care plan more careful and more focused on the preventive aspects of urinary incontinence in pregnant women, which aims to improve quality of care provided during prenatal by health professionals. (AU)