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Effects of walking speeds and carrying techniques on intra-abdominal pressure in women

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International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Walking speed and carrying technique affect intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in women. In this study, we tested the feasibility of monitoring IAP outside the laboratory environment and compared IAP while study participants were (1) carrying 13.6 kg (similar to a 3-month old in car seat) in six different ways while walking 100 m; and (2) while walking 400 m at self-selected slow, normal, and fast paces.

Methods

Forty-six healthy women between 19 and 54 years completed the walking and lifting activities; the order for each was randomized. IAP was monitored with an intravaginal pressure transducer that wirelessly transmitted pressure data to a portable base station. We analyzed maximal peak IAP and area under the curve (AUC) IAP.

Results

Monitoring IAP outside of the laboratory was feasible. Mean maximal IAP during walking increased as pace increased: 42.5 [standard deviation (SD) 10.2], 50.5 (10.9), and 62.0 (12.1) cmH2O for slow, medium, and fast speeds, respectively: p < 0.0001 by mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA). The corresponding AUC of IAP for walking decreased as pace increased. The awkward carry, side carry, and front carry activities each resulted in higher mean maximal IAP [65.8 (10.6), 67.7 (12.8), and 77.3 (13.1) cmH2O, respectively] than the carry-in-backpack activity [55.5 (11.4) cmH2O; p < 0.0001].

Conclusion

Subtle variations in walking speed or method of carrying a toddler-size load can produce significant changes in IAP. Whether these changes increase the risk of pelvic floor disorders is not yet clear. However, these data suggest that further inquiry into optimal methods and appliances to assist women in carrying may create a lower IAP profile.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Sarah Holdsworth, Harrison Padgen, Chis Chisholm, Casey Fenger, and Destanae Howerton-Davis for their assistance in conducting the exercise protocol. We also thank Johanna de Gennaro and Melissa Warren for their help with building sensors used in this study. The project described was supported by Grant Number R01HD061787-01 from the Eunice Kennedy Schriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Conflict of interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    Tanner J. Coleman & Robert Hitchcock

  2. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, 250 S. 1850 E., Rm. 239E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    Nadia M. Hamad & Janet M. Shaw

  3. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way, Rm. 201, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA

    Marlene J. Egger, Huifeng Jin & Chan K. Choi

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 N. 1900 E., Rm. 2B200, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA

    Yvonne Hsu & Ingrid E. Nygaard

Authors
  1. Tanner J. Coleman
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  2. Nadia M. Hamad
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  3. Janet M. Shaw
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  4. Marlene J. Egger
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  5. Yvonne Hsu
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  6. Robert Hitchcock
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  7. Huifeng Jin
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  8. Chan K. Choi
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  9. Ingrid E. Nygaard
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ingrid E. Nygaard.

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Coleman, T.J., Hamad, N.M., Shaw, J.M. et al. Effects of walking speeds and carrying techniques on intra-abdominal pressure in women. Int Urogynecol J 26, 967–974 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-014-2593-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-014-2593-5

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