Faculty Collaboration Database

Fatigability of the external anal sphincter muscles using a novel strength training resistance exercise device. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021 Apr 01;320(4):G609-G616

Date

02/18/2021

Pubmed ID

33596155

Pubmed Central ID

PMC8238165

DOI

10.1152/ajpgi.00456.2020

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85104209813 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

Exercises involving pelvic floor muscles including repetitive voluntary contractions of external anal sphincter (EAS) musculature have been used to improve fecal incontinence. Muscle fatigue is a prerequisite for successful strength training. However, muscle fatigue induced by these exercises has not been systematically studied. We aimed to assess the fatigability of EAS muscles during various exercise methods. Twelve nulliparous (21 ± 2.7 yr) women were studied. We evaluated fatigue during 40 repetitive 3-s contractions and 30-s long squeeze contractions both with and without an intra-anal compressible resistant load. The sequence of exercises was randomized. This load was provided by the continence muscles Resistance Exerciser Device. Anal canal pressures were recorded by high-resolution manometry. Exercise against a resistive load showed significant decrease in anal contractile integral (CI) and maximum squeeze pressure during repetitive short squeeze contractions compared with exercise without a load. Linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between anal CI and successive contraction against load, suggesting "fatigue." Similar findings were observed for maximum squeeze pressure (slope with load = -4.2, P = 0.0003, vs. without load = -0.9, P = 0.3). Long squeeze contraction against a load was also more susceptible to fatigue than without a load (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, repetitive contractions against a compressible load induce fatigue and thus have the potential to strengthen the anal sphincter contractile function than contractions without a load. Fatigue rate in long squeeze contraction exercises with a load is significantly faster than that without a load, also indicating greater effectiveness in inducing muscle fatigue.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Fecal incontinence is a distressing disorder with a mainstay of treatment being pelvic floor muscle exercises. However, none of these exercises has proven occurrence of fatigability, which is an important prerequisite for successful muscle strengthening in rehabilitative exercises. In this study, we proved that we can fatigue the external anal sphincter muscles more efficiently by providing a resistive load during anal repetitive short squeeze contractions and long squeeze contraction exercise.

Author List

Mei L, Patel K, Lehal N, Kern MK, Benjamin A, Sanvanson P, Shaker R

Authors

Mark K. Kern Research Scientist II in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Ling Mei MD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Patrick P. Sanvanson MD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Anal Canal
Fecal Incontinence
Female
Humans
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Fatigue
Muscle Strength
Pelvic Floor
Pelvic Floor Disorders
Random Allocation
Resistance Training
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult