Pelvic floor dysfunction as a representative of pelvic frailty

Kiyoji Tanaka; Keigo Ohyama-byun; Hiromitsu Negoro; Natsui Waku; Kosei Miwa

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Pelvic floor dysfunction as a representative of pelvic frailty

VernacularTitle:骨盤底フレイルとしての骨盤底機能低下
Author: Kiyoji TANAKA ¹ ; Keigo OHYAMA-BYUN ¹ ; Hiromitsu NEGORO ² ; Natsui WAKU ³ ; Kosei MIWA ⁴
Author Information

1. Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba
2. Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba
3. Department of Urology, National Hospital Organization Kasumigaura Medical Center
4. Japanese Red Cross Gifu Hospital, Urogyne Center
Keywords: pelvic floor; pelvic frailty; urinary incontinence; uterine prolapse; pelvic floor muscle training
From:Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine 2022;71(3):287-292
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Pelvic floor trauma developing into pelvic frailty is a significant concern in urogynecology or orthopedics. The majority of women who have experienced vaginal childbirth are affected, to a certain extent, by some form of pelvic floor damage, thereby eliciting substantial alterations of functional anatomy in the pelvic cavity which are manifested as urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse (e.g., uterine prolapse). With the above in mind, medical researchers, continence experts, and continence exercise practitioners in the research areas of sports medicine and rehabilitation medicine believe that the coordinated activity of pelvic floor muscles, in association with the abdominal muscles, is a prerequisite for urinary and defecatory continence. Since the pelvic floor forms the base of the abdominal cavity, stronger pelvic floor muscles are crucial in maintaining such capabilities. Opposing action of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles ensures that exercises for one may also strengthen the other. Appropriate abdominal maneuverability or logical exercise training of the abdominal muscles may thus be beneficial in maintaining not only strength but also coordination, flexibility, and endurance of pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles. Such exercises, collectively known as pelvic floor muscle training, may be effective for long-term pelvic cavity care and also in rehabilitating cases of pelvic floor dysfunction. Further research is needed, however, in determining whether pelvic floor muscle function can be truly enhanced or maintained by such exercises in cases of pelvic floor dysfunction and/or decreased urinary continence.