Comparison of the effects on the pelvic floor of the Pilates Technique with and without voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscle

Abstract

The objective of the present study will be to evaluate the effect of Pilates techniques in pelvic floor in 48 nulliparous sedentary women. It will be an interventional, randomized and blinded study. Initially, all the patients will submitted a functional evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles (by PERFECT exam) and evalution by surface electromyography, perioneometer and three dimensional ultrasound. After that, the patients will be randomized to two groups: The first group will consist Pilates exercises without voluntary muscle contraction of the pelvic floor and the second group will consist Pilates with voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. The treatment will be consisted of 24 sessions, 1 hour duration, two times a week. The treatment protocol will be consisted 1-12 sessions of the basic exercises and 13-24 sessions of the intermidiate exercises. At the end of the sessions, all the patients will be reevaluat by PERFECT exam, ultrasound, electromyography and perineometer.