ELECTROMYGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE FUNCTION OF THE PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES OF POST-PELVIC MOBILITY PREGNANT WOMEN
Pregnant women. Pelvic floor. Prenatal exercises. Muscular contraction. Electromyography. Physiotherapy.
Understanding the intricate relationship between pregnancy and the pelvic floor is crucial to managing potential problems related to pelvic floor dysfunction during and after pregnancy. Appropriate prenatal care, including exercises and interventions to support pelvic health, can help mitigate complications and promote overall well-being for pregnant women. The objective of this case series was to analyze the function of the pelvic floor muscles of pregnant women after pelvic mobility exercises using surface electromyography (EMG). The methodology was a cross-sectional, case series observational study, which evaluated seven (7) pregnant women in the third trimester. Data collection consisted of functional assessment of the pelvic floor through surface electromyography, with the following protocol: thirty seconds of rest to record basal activity, three maximal voluntary contractions maintained for two seconds, with a one-minute interval between each one. and three sustained contractions, maintained for six seconds, with a one-minute interval between each one. After the evaluation, pelvic exercises of lateral hip tilt, pelvic antero- and retroversion and circumduction were performed and, subsequently, all were reevaluated by EMG following the same evaluation protocol. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 13.0. The results indicated a significant improvement in maximum voluntary contraction, in the adjusted mean variable (p 0.040). In the other parameters evaluated, although there was no significant statistical difference, the values found may indicate an improvement in the functionality of the pelvic floor muscles after pelvic movement exercise. The pelvic exercise applied in this series of cases caused changes in all variables evaluated in the studied group, considering the myoelectric response and the functionality of the pelvic floor muscles in pregnant women in the third trimester. Studies with a larger sample and higher level of evidence are needed to confirm these results.