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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) or increased inter-rectus distance (IRD) is characterized by the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. It has its onset during pregnancy and the first weeks following childbirth. The reliability of the instruments used to assess this condition is unclear. There is scant knowledge on the prevalence and risk factors for development of the condition. There is little evidence on which exercises are most effective in reduction of DRA. The aims of our studies were to establish a reliable method for the assessment of the morphology of the abdominal wall, describe DRA prevalence, risk factors, and evaluate the acute response on the IRD induced by drawing-in and abdominal crunch exercises. The results of three methodological studies showed ultrasound imaging to be a reliable method for measuring IRD. The ultrasound transducer can be held relatively stationary in a clinical setting, to evaluate IRD. DRA is prevalent at 6 months postpartum, with a prevalence rate of 39%. The acute response on IRD produced by drawing-in exercise was a widening of the IRD in postpartum, while the abdominal crunch exercise induced an acute narrowing response of the IRD in pregnancy and in postpartum.
Description
Keywords
Diastasis recti Inter-rectus distance Ultrasound Postpartum Pregnancy
Citation
Mota P, Pascoal AG, Vaz C, João F, Veloso A, Bø K. Diastasis recti during pregnancy and postpartum. In: Brandão S, Da Roza T, Ramos I, Mascarenhas T, editors. Women's health and biomechanics. Cham: Springer; 2018. p. 121-32.
Publisher
SpringerOpen