RESUMO
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.
RESUMO
Pelvic floor muscles play an important role in inner unit functioning related to excretion, reproduction, support of pelvic organs, posture, and respiration, while their weakening is a characteristic health problem for many women. The pelvic floor is closely related to women’s life events, and protection and strengthening of the pelvic floor in accordance with life stages will lead to the prevention of pelvic floor disorders (pelvic frailty). Pelvic floor muscle exercises may be the first choice for prevention, improvement, and/or conservative treatment of pelvic organ prolapse caused by weakening of pelvic floor muscle groups. Also, pelvic floor muscle exercises can be done on a daily and continuous basis as a fitness activity; but proper assessment and practice with appropriate methods are important. In addition, an integrated program that includes lifestyle modification can enhance its effectiveness. In order to realize the lifelong well-being of women, there is a need to further develop effective pelvic floor exercises in creating a more comprehensive prevention-care health system for society.
