Influence of obesity on function, electromyographic activity and biometry of female pelvic floor muscle

• Grant number: 11/21409-9
• 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

Abstract

It is known that obesity is among the main risk factors for the development of pelvic floor dysfunction in women. Population studies have linked obesity to increased prevalence of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. However, the exact mechanism responsible for this association is poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of body fat accumulation on the function, electromyographic activity and volume of the female pelvic floor muscles. We will select 385 women aged from 18 to 35 years, sexually and physically active, with Body Mass Index on values indicative of normal, overweight and obesity. The volunteers will undergo total body composition assessment and the trunk segment. Then it will be evaluated the pelvic floor muscles function by digital palpation, pelvic floor muscles pressure by the perineometry, and the electromyographic activity during rest and maximal voluntary contraction. After two to four days will be held bidimensional ultrasound of the pelvic floor muscles by transperineal method for measuring the levator ani muscle volume. Appropriate statistical tests will be applied for variables indirect force, pressure, volume and electromyographic activity of pelvic floor muscles with the variables percentage of fat mass and the trunk segment.Given the increasing number of overweight and obese women, the analysis of the effects of excessive accumulation of body fat on the pelvic floor muscles can help to develop early preventive strategies for pelvic floor dysfunction, promoting improved quality of life women in all age groups. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEREIRA, VANESSA S.; HIRAKAWA, HUMBERTO S.; OLIVEIRA, ANA B.; DRIUSSO, PATRICIA. Correlação entre palpação digital, pressão de contração, atividade eletromiográfica e variáveis ultrassonográficas da musculatura do assoalho pélvico feminino. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, v. 18, n. 5, p. 428-434, SEP-OCT 2014. (11/21409-9)