Author(s): DAMPS, D., LABUN, J., PIERNICKA, M., SZUMILEWICZ, A., Institution: GDANSK UNIVERSITY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 2398

INTRODUCTION:
The maternal and fetal benefits of moderate intensity physical activity during pregnancy are well established; however, evidence regarding the safety and specific effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) remains limited. Given that HIIT imposes higher training loads and greater biomechanical stress, it may potentially have adverse effects on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function. Maintaining adequate PFM function is essential, as these muscles support the pelvic organs, ensure urinary and bowel continence, and contribute to sexual health. Therefore, incorporating PFM training into HIIT may offer additional benefits, although its effectiveness depends on correct exercise technique. This study aimed to evaluate PFM exercise technique and self assessed sexual functions in women with uncomplicated pregnancies following an eight-week HIIT program.
METHODS:
Fifteen women with uncomplicated pregnancies (33 ± 5 years; 20 ± 6 week of gestation; M ± SD) participated in an 8-week HIIT Mama intervention - consisted of supervised, 60-minute HIIT sessions with PFMT, three times per week. Pre- and post-intervention the PFM neuromuscular activity was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) with the TeleMyo™ 2400 DTS system, a vaginal probe (Lifecare PR-02), and surface electrodes to monitor synergistic muscle activity (rectus abdominis, oblique abdominis, and gluteus). The technique of 11 PFM exercises was analyzed using MyoResearch software. Correct technique meant activating the PFM while keeping the synergistic muscles relaxed, or activating the PFM first. Changes in self-assessed sexual functions were evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire.
RESULTS:
Improvement in the PFM exercise technique was observed in all exercises. The largest changes occurred in exercises 4, 9 and 11, where 20% more participants performed the technique correctly after the intervention (73% vs. 93%, 73% vs. 93%, 80% vs. 100%, respectively).
Based on the FSFI, six domains of sexual function were analyzed. No statistically significant differences were observed between pre- and post-intervention scores in any domain, as assessed using the Wilcoxon test: desire (3.26 ± 1.19 vs. 3.69 ± 0.90; p = .418), arousal (4.11 ± 1.92 vs. 4.59 ± 1.22; p = .756), lubrication (4.56 ± 2.04 vs. 5.16 ± 0.90; p = .964), orgasm (4.31 ± 2.07 vs. 4.57 ± 1.39; p = .859), sexual satisfaction (4.71 ± 1.25 vs. 4.57 ± 1.02; p = .530), and pain (4.77 ± 2.01 vs. 5.14 ± 1.10; p = .790). The total FSFI score also did not change significantly (25.74 ± 9.97 vs. 27.72 ± 4.99; p = .975). No adverse effects of the HIIT Mama program on pregnancy outcomes were observed.
CONCLUSION:
Despite the substantial biomechanical demands, participation in an eight week HIIT program, supplemented with PFM training, led to improved PFM exercise technique in pregnant women. Moreover, the findings contradict previous reports suggesting that self assessed sexual functions declines significantly as pregnancy progresses.