Influence of obesity on the function and electromyographic activity of pelvic floor muscles

• Grant number: 12/11502-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Driusso
• Grantee: Tais Caldeira Simoncini
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The pelvic floor disorders are very common and predominantly affect women. These have as a consequence the urinary and fecal incontinence, genital dystopias, lower urinary tract abnormalities, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, among others. It is known that obesity is among the main risk factors for development of pelvic floor disorders. However, the exact mechanism responsible for this association is poorly understood. The objective of this study is to compare the function and electromyographic activity of pelvic floor muscles in women with body mass index indicative of normality and obesity. Women with age between 18 to 30 years. physical and sexually active. The volunteers will be divided into two groups according to body mass index (BMI): group with BMI indicative of normality (n=30; 18 > BMI < 25 kg/m2) and group with BMI indicative of obesity (n=30; IMC e 30 kg/m2). The height and weight of each volunteer will be measured and the women will be evaluated for bioelectrical impedance, digital palpation, perineometry and electromyography of the pelvic floor muscles. Appropriate tests will be applied to investigate the relationship between the variables of function of the pelvic floor muscles and the variables related to obesity. Recent studies have demonstrated the characteristics of epidemic of the obesity. Given this new reality, the analysis of the influence of excessive accumulation of body fat on the pelvic floor muscles can assist in developing strategies for early prevention of pelvic floor disorders, promoting improved quality of life of women. (AU)