Effect of an Exercise Protocol on Pelvic Muscle Resting Pressure in Healthy AdultWomen

摘要

A secondary analysis of data was performed examining the effect of a 12-weekgraded exercise program on pelvic muscle resting pressure in healthy women (N = 41) aged 35 to 55. The hypotheses were that resting pressure would remain consistent within each evaluation, and that resting pressure would increase following each three-week exercise interval. Analysis of variance reflected a significant difference in resting pressure within each evaluation (df = 9, F = 5.15, p < .0004). A significant difference was found between baseline and level one of the exercise program (df = 1, F = 7.87, p < .0081). Results suggest exercises performed without a warm-up may result in incomplete relaxation prior to contraction. Significant change between baseline and level one suggests slow relaxation of untrained muscles. Five minutes of submaximal contractions before exercise may be beneficial to the pelvic muscles.