Pelvic floor dynamics during high-impact athletic activities: A computational modeling study

Nicholas Dias, Yun Peng, Rose Khavari, Nissrine A. Nakib, Robert M. Sweet, Gerald W. Timm, Arthur G. Erdman, Timothy B. Boone, Yingchun Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Stress urinary incontinence is a significant problem in young female athletes, but the pathophysiology remains unclear because of the limited knowledge of the pelvic floor support function and limited capability of currently available assessment tools. The aim of our study is to develop an advanced computer modeling tool to better understand the dynamics of the internal pelvic floor during highly transient athletic activities. Methods Apelvic model was developed based on high-resolution MRI scans of a healthy nulliparous young female. A jump-landing process was simulated using realistic boundary conditions captured from jumping experiments. Hypothesized alterations of the function of pelvic floor muscles were simulated by weakening or strengthening the levator ani muscle stiffness at different levels. Intra-abdominal pressures and corresponding deformations of pelvic floor structures were monitored at different levels of weakness or enhancement. Findings Results show that pelvic floor deformations generated during a jump-landing process differed greatly from those seen in a Valsalva maneuver which is commonly used for diagnosis in clinic. The urethral mobility was only slightly influenced by the alterations of the levator ani muscle stiffness. Implications for risk factors and treatment strategies were also discussed. Interpretation Results suggest that clinical diagnosis should make allowances for observed differences in pelvic floor deformations between a Valsalva maneuver and a jump-landing process to ensure accuracy. Urethral hypermobility may be a less contributing factor than the intrinsic sphincteric closure system to the incontinence of young female athletes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)20-27
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Biomechanics
Volume41
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Keywords

  • Female athletes
  • Finite element method
  • Pelvic floor muscle
  • Stress urinary incontinence
  • Urethral hypermobility

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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