Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

 Rectal prolapse is a complication arising from internal sphincter dysfunction causing significant challenges. A primary factor in its development is pelvic floor muscle weakness. Accordingly, the present study aimed to compare the effects of core stabilization functional, EMS, and combined exercises on muscle strength and endurance of the pelvic floor in patients with rectal prolapse. In this semi-experimental study, with a design pre and post-test and a control group, 48 women with rectal prolapse in Isfahan with an average age=45.2 years and a BMI=26.2 kg/m2, were selected and divided into 4 groups(n= 12); Functional training, EMS training, Combined training and Control randomly. Functional training protocol consisted of 9 movements, 3 sessions per week and each session lasted for 30 minutes in the first week and gradually increased to 90 minutes in the 8 week. Also, EMS trainings were carried out for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week for 40 minutes, using EMS and Biofeedback devices. Furthermore, the combined training protocol was implemented for 8 weeks and 3 sessions per week (in each session, at first EMS training and then functional training) for 40 minutes according to the overload principle. Strength and endurance of pelvic floor muscles were measured before and after the exercise program. In order to analyze the data, multivariate covariance and post hoc Bonferroni tests were used using SPSS 26 software at a significant level (P≥0.05). The results of the study showed a significant increase in the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles in EMS and combined exercise groups (P≥0.05). However, in the functional exercises group, although an increase in the strength of the pelvic floor muscles was observed, this increase was not significant (p≥0.05). Also, the changes caused by the combined group on the variables were significantly more than the groups of functional and EMS exercises alone (P≥0.05). These results show the effect of electrical stimulation along with functional training on increasing the endurance and strength of the pelvic floor muscles, which, as a result, improves rectal prolapse. Therefore, it is suggested that sports therapy centers, doctors, and therapists use these methods, especially combined exercises, to improve rectal prolapse.

Keywords: Rectal Prolapse, Functional Exercises, EMS Exercises, Pelvic Floor Muscles

     

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