Abdominal Exercises Enhance Closure Of Diastasis Recti Abdominis Condition And Improves Quality Of Life Among Women Who Have Undergone Multiple Pregnancies
Sylvester Emeka Igwe PT Ph.D
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology
Goddy Chuba Okoye MBBS Ph.D
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria
Keywords: Inter-recti distance, Postpartum, Exercise, Multiparous
Abstract
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a common maternal ailment seen especially among women who have undergone multiple pregnancies and births. This condition presents as an abnormal gap existing between adjacent recti abdominis muscles, also known as inter-recti distance (IRD). It is characterized by weakness of the abdominal segment and impairment of effective trunk function. The purpose of this work was to examine the impact of abdominal exercises on the closure of IRD dysfunction and enhancement of quality of life among multiparous women. Method: A cross-sectional survey method was utilized in the study. Thirty multiparous women who also present with various degrees of symptoms of DRA were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental – 23 and control - 7. The 23 women in the experimental group also served as their own control while 8 of them compared with the control group. Results: Using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the exercise group recorded significantly decreased mean IRD at p< 0.05, and also were able to carry out more sustained crunch exercises, when compared to the control group. Within the exercise group, there was also comparative significant increase in mean abdominal muscle strength. Conclusions: The outcome of the study shows that exercises may enhance abdominal muscle strength and potentiate closure of IRD, as well as improve functional activities of daily living in postpartum women.