Volume 29, Issue 3 (Iran South Med J 2026)
Iran South Med J 2026, 29(3): 140-151 |
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Gashteh A, Hedayati R, AminianFar A, Paknazar F. Effects of Combined Hypopressive and Specific Pelvic Floor Exercises on Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and Quality of Life in Semi Professional Female Athletes with Stress Urinary Incontinence. Iran South Med J 2026; 29 (3) :140-151
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2591-en.html
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2591-en.html
1- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
2- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Neuroscience Research Institute, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran ,Hedayati@semums.ac.ir
3- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Neuroscience Research Institute, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
4- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
2- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Neuroscience Research Institute, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran ,
3- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Neuroscience Research Institute, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
4- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Abstract: (301 Views)
Background: Stress urinary incontinence is a condition often associated with impaired pelvic floor muscle function. Selecting an effective treatment approach, particularly for athletes, is crucial to facilitate an early return to sports activities. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of adding hypopressive exercises to specialized pelvic floor muscle exercises on pelvic floor muscle function and quality of life in semi-professional female athletes with stress urinary incontinence.
Materials and Methods: The present study enrolled 20 athletes divided into two groups: one group performed specialized pelvic floor muscle exercises alone, and the other group performed specialized pelvic floor muscle exercises combined with hypopressive exercises. Pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, function, and quality of life were measured using a perineometer, ultrasonography, and a questionnaire, respectively, for all participants before and after an 8-week intervention.
Results: Statistical analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in any of the study variables.
Conclusion: Although each exercise-based intervention led to significant improvements in endurance, function, and quality of life in the athletes, the addition of hypopressive exercises demonstrated no additional advantage over specialized pelvic floor muscle exercises alone.
Materials and Methods: The present study enrolled 20 athletes divided into two groups: one group performed specialized pelvic floor muscle exercises alone, and the other group performed specialized pelvic floor muscle exercises combined with hypopressive exercises. Pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, function, and quality of life were measured using a perineometer, ultrasonography, and a questionnaire, respectively, for all participants before and after an 8-week intervention.
Results: Statistical analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in any of the study variables.
Conclusion: Although each exercise-based intervention led to significant improvements in endurance, function, and quality of life in the athletes, the addition of hypopressive exercises demonstrated no additional advantage over specialized pelvic floor muscle exercises alone.
Keywords: Pelvic floor exercises, Hypopressive, Stress urinary incontinence, Semi-professional female athletes, quality of life
Original: Original |
Subject:
Musculoskeletal System
Received: 2026/04/20 | Accepted: 2026/07/21 | Published: 2026/08/23
Received: 2026/04/20 | Accepted: 2026/07/21 | Published: 2026/08/23
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