Why the study?
Does an abdominal exercise program improve abdominal efficiency and rectus separation compared to an abdominal supporting belt in post-partum women?
Does an abdominal exercise program improve abdominal efficiency and rectus separation compared to an abdominal supporting belt in post-partum women?
Abdominal exercises are more effective than an abdominal supporting belt for improving abdominal muscle strength and reducing inter-recti separation in post-partum women.
Abdominal exercise should be prioritized over belts for post-partum rectus diastasis; extends RCT evidence supporting targeted rehabilitation.
This study was conducted to determine the effect of abdominal exercises versus abdominal supporting belt on abdominal efficiency and inter-recti separation following vaginal delivery.30 primiparous post-natal women participated in this study. Their age ranged from (25 - 35) years and their BMI < 30 Kg/m2. Participants were assigned randomly into 2groups, participants of group (A) used abdominal belt from the 2nd day following delivery, till the end of puerperium (6 weeks), while participants of group (B) engaged into abdominal exercises program from the 2nd day following delivery for 6 weeks. The results of the present study revealed that although there was no statistical difference in waist circumference between both groups, participation in abdominal exercise program produced a pronounced reduction in waist/hip ratio, and inter-recti separation and also caused significant increase in abdominal muscles strength (peak torque, maximum repetition total work and average power) higher than the use of abdominal belt.
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El-Mekawy et al. (2013) studied this question.
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