The effect of exercise on the circumvaginal muscles in postpartum women

Abstract

The effect of exercise on pressure developed by the circumvaginal muscles (CVM) in postpartum women was studied. The CVM assessment system described earlier by Dougherty, Abrams, and McKey used an intravaginal balloon device (IVBD) developed from an impression and model of the vagina. The system (IVBD, pressure transducer and strip chart recorder) provided permanent CVM pressure tracings with high test-re-test reliability (n = 16; r = .85) for maximum pressure (MP). The hypothesis in the research reported here was that exercise with and without an IVBD, when compared to no exercise, would result in significantly higher MP and pressure over time (POT). Forty-five healthy PP volunteers were randomly assigned to a 10-minute per day home training program, for six weeks. The baseline and six-week assessments consisted of CVM pressure tracings during contraction. Dependent variables were MP (highest pressure attained) and POT (area under the pressure curve). Although no significant differences were found between the home training groups, greater improvement was found in the exercise groups. Variability within subjects partly accounts for the results. Pressure changes before and after pregnancy and before and after CVM exercise are demonstrated in a case study. The findings support the use of CVM exercise in the postpartum.