RT - Journal Article T1 - Co-activation of Abdominal and Pelvic Floor Muscles: A Systematic Review of the Literature JF - J-Mazand-Univ-Med-Sci YR - 2011 JO - J-Mazand-Univ-Med-Sci VO - 21 IS - 81 UR - http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-663-en.html SP - 90 EP - 101 K1 - Âbdominal muscles K1 - transversus abdominis K1 - co-activation/synergy K1 - pelvic floor muscle AB - Background and purpose: Recent research indicated that there is a co-activation of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and abdominal muscles during voluntary and involuntary activity as a normal function, which may be impaired in women with stress urinary incontinency (SÜÏ). The purpose of the present study was to review the previously published studies concerning co-activation of abdominal and PFM with particular attention to its clinical application in patients with SÜÏ. Materials and methods: Â literature search for the period of 2000-2010 was performed, using PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Thomson, ËMBÂSË, ÔVÏD, ÇÏNÂHL and MËDLÏNË databases. Pelvic floor muscle, abdominal muscles, transverse abdominis, Ço-activation, electromyography and ultrasonography were used as keywords. Results: Twenty one articles were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. There was a wide variation among studies in terms of methodology, main outcome measures, sample size, procedure, imaging parameters and electromyography parameters, etc. Çonclusion: The results demonstrated that there is adequate evidence to support co-contraction of the PFM with abdominal muscles in voluntary, involuntary and reflex activities and this co-contraction could be lost or impaired in individuals with SÜÏ. LA eng UL http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-663-en.html M3 ER -