Effects of a facilitating device on pelvic floor muscle contraction during breathing exercises.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the effects and to verify the efficacy of various breathing exercises performed while sitting on a small foam roller on the contraction of pelvic floor muscles in males. [Participants and Methods] This study, involving 10 healthy males (age 19.9 ± 1.6 years), had a crossover design and involved two conditions: sitting at rest for 10 min (CON condition) and sitting on a small foam roller placed on a chair while performing seven breathing exercises (EXE condition). Movement of the posterior side of the bladder was examined in both conditions using ultrasonic imaging. Pelvic floor muscle contraction was evaluated based on the movement distance. [Results] No significant difference was found in any parameter for CON conditions. The distance of bladder posterior side movement was 5.58 ± 2.51 mm (pre), 13.66 ± 5.16 mm (post), and 9.59 ± 3.67 mm (post-1 month) for EXE conditions. Subjective evaluation also demonstrated that the feeling of contraction was stronger immediately after the experiment. [Conclusion] Results demonstrated that various breathing exercises, performed while sitting on a small foam roller, enhanced the voluntary contraction of pelvic floor muscles in males. Efficacy was demonstrated, at least in young males.

Recovery of time on limits of stability from functional fatigue in Division II collegiate athletes.

Health and fitness professionals working with athletes could establish effective and safe practice and training programs if recovery time on dynamic balance from exertion was available. Research investigating the time needed to recover dynamic limits of stability (LOS) from exertion has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the recovery timeline on LOS from functional fatigue in collegiate athletes. Eighteen athletes (11 men, 7 women) from Division II collegiate soccer team who passed prescreening tests to identify their fitness levels were randomly tested on 2 different days by condition (fatigue or nonfatigue). Functional fatigue was determined by using the Borg 15-point rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Subjects were tested on LOS on the Biodex Balance System pre, post, 10, 15, and 20 minutes for each condition. The main effect for condition was not significant (F() = 0.004, p = 0.948), whereas the main effect for time was significant (F(4,64) = 6.167, p < 0.001). The RPE scoring revealed the significant main effect in FATIGUE (F(2.69, 45.73) = 234.8, p < 0.001). In conclusion, 20 minutes of functional activity will likely have a negative influence on dynamic balance, with balance recovery occurring within 10 minutes after the cessation of exercise in Division II collegiate soccer athletes. Moreover, the level of exertion measured by RPE would correspond to athletes' ability to control their center of mass.