Effects of a facilitating device on pelvic floor muscle contraction during breathing exercises

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the effects and to verify the efficacy of various breathing exercises performed while sitting on a small foam roller on the contraction of pelvic floor muscles in males. [Participants and Methods] This study, involving 10 healthy males (age 19.9 ± 1.6 years), had a crossover design and involved two conditions: sitting at rest for 10 min (CON condition) and sitting on a small foam roller placed on a chair while performing seven breathing exercises (EXE condition). Movement of the posterior side of the bladder was examined in both conditions using ultrasonic imaging. Pelvic floor muscle contraction was evaluated based on the movement distance. [Results] No significant difference was found in any parameter for CON conditions. The distance of bladder posterior side movement was 5.58 ± 2.51 mm (pre), 13.66 ± 5.16 mm (post), and 9.59 ± 3.67 mm (post-1 month) for EXE conditions. Subjective evaluation also demonstrated that the feeling of contraction was stronger immediately after the experiment. [Conclusion] Results demonstrated that various breathing exercises, performed while sitting on a small foam roller, enhanced the voluntary contraction of pelvic floor muscles in males. Efficacy was demonstrated, at least in young males.