Immediate effects of different training movements on inter-rectus distance in postpartum women: a high-frequency ultrasound observation

doi:10.12307/2023.815

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Postpartum diastasis rectus abdominis have a high incidence, which has a certain adverse effect on the physical and mental health of parturients. Exercise therapy is one of the main treatment methods, but there is still a lack of consensus on which exercise can promote its repair more effectively.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the immediate effects of curl-up movement, abdominal breathing, pelvic floor muscle contraction and combined exercise on inter-rectus distance using high-frequency ultrasound.
METHODS: Thirty-nine eligible subjects with postpartum diastasis rectus abdominis were recruited 2-6 months after delivery. Inter-rectus distance was measured using high-frequency ultrasound at 4.5 cm above the umbilicus, at the level of the umbilicus and at 4.5 cm below the umbilicus in five movement patterns: resting state, curl-up movement, abdominal breathing, pelvic floor contraction and combined movement.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the inter-rectus distance between the resting state and the other four movement patterns at 4.5 cm above the umbilicus (P > 0.05). At the level of the umbilicus, the inter-rectus distance was significantly decreased in the curl-up movement compared with the resting state (P < 0.01), while the inter-rectus distance significantly increased in the combined exercise compared with the resting state (P < 0.05). At the 4.5 cm below the umbilicus, the inter-rectus distance decreased in the curl-up movement compared with the resting state (P < 0.05), while the inter-rectus distance tended to increase in the other three movements compared with the resting state, but there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the inter-rectus distance between spontaneous delivery group and cesarean section group at the resting state (all P > 0.05). However, at the umbilical level, the inter-rectus distance in the multiparity group was significantly wider than that in the primiparity group (P < 0.05). At 4.5 cm below the umbilicus, the body mass index was positively correlated with the inter-rectus distance (r=0.359, P=0.025). In terms of immediate effects, curl-up movement can reduce the inter-rectus distance, while abdominal breathing, pelvic floor contraction and combined exercise have the opposite effects. Parturients with multiple births and a high body mass index may be more likely to develop postpartum diastasis rectus abdominis. Results from this study will provide a theoretical basis for the rehabilitation treatment of postpartum diastasis rectus abdominis.

Key words: postpartum, rectus abdominis, diastasis rectus abdominis, high-frequency ultrasound, exercise training, curl-up movement, abdominal breathing, pelvic floor contraction

CLC Number:

Cen Wanyi, Gong Yuxuan, Huang Zhendong, Hu Xinyu, Lin Jun, Que Kexin, Li Tailiang, Wang Runmei, Song Chengxian. Immediate effects of different training movements on inter-rectus distance in postpartum women: a high-frequency ultrasound observation[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2023, 27(32): 5091-5096.

Figures/Tables 8

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