exercise /ex·er·cise/ (ek´ser-sīz) performance of physical exertion for improvement of health or correction of physical deformity.
Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises.
Kegel exercises [ka´gul]
active exercise motion imparted to a part by voluntary contraction and relaxation of its controlling muscles.
aerobic exercise that designed to increase oxygen consumption and improve functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
endurance exercise one that involves the use of several large groups of muscles and is thus dependent on the delivery of oxygen to the muscles by the cardiovascular system.
isokinetic exercise dynamic muscle activity performed at a constant angular velocity; torque and tension remain constant while muscles shorten or lengthen.
isometric exercise active exercise performed against stable resistance, without change in the length of the muscle.
isotonic exercise active exercise without appreciable change in the force of muscular contraction, with shortening of the muscle.
Kegel exercises exercises performed to strengthen the pubococcygeal muscle.
passive exercise motion imparted to a part by another person or outside force, or produced by voluntary effort of another segment of the patient's own body.
range of motion exercise the putting of a joint through its full range of normal movements, either actively or passively.
resistance exercise , resistive exercise that performed by the patient against resistance, as from a weight.
Kegel exercises
A series of contractions and relaxations of the muscles in the perineal area. These exercises are thought to strengthen the pelvic floor and may help prevent urinary incontinence in women.
Kegel exercises.
Kegel exercises [ka´gul]
specific exercises named after Dr. Arnold H. Kegel, a gynecologist who first developed the exercises to strengthen the pelvic-vaginal muscles as a means of controlling stress incontinence in women. He later learned from patients who had been performing the exercises that strengthening of the pubococcygeus muscle, a sphincteric muscle that surrounds the vagina, also improved feminine sexual response and contributed to the attainment of orgasm. Research has since demonstrated that this muscle contains specialized nerve endings which contribute to a satisfactory sexual experience.
A third area in which the Kegel exercises are important is in pregnancy and childbirth. The exercises strengthen the pelvic floor and therefore are helpful in reducing discomfort and congestion during pregnancy and in providing support for the pelvic organs before and after birth. During delivery the mother who has developed good tone and conscious control over the pubococcygeus muscle is able to release the muscle and thereby facilitate the passage of the infant through the birth canal. After delivery the exercises maintain the strength of the muscle and greatly diminish the possibility of rectocele and cystocele, dyspareunia, and other aftereffects of delivery.
Most patients must be taught an awareness of the muscle and how to control it. This usually can be done by having the woman shut off urine flow while sitting on the commode. After a few trials the sensation of control is recognized and the patient is able to perform the exercise on her own. Usually the exercises are begun with five or ten contractions before arising in the morning and also during each voiding of urine. Gradually the number of sessions and the number of contractions are increased until ultimately a pattern of three hundred daily contractions is reached. The exercises require concentration but a small expenditure of energy. Once the muscle has been strengthened it tends to maintain its strength and state of partial contraction at all times. Sexual activity helps preserve the muscle tone.
A third area in which the Kegel exercises are important is in pregnancy and childbirth. The exercises strengthen the pelvic floor and therefore are helpful in reducing discomfort and congestion during pregnancy and in providing support for the pelvic organs before and after birth. During delivery the mother who has developed good tone and conscious control over the pubococcygeus muscle is able to release the muscle and thereby facilitate the passage of the infant through the birth canal. After delivery the exercises maintain the strength of the muscle and greatly diminish the possibility of rectocele and cystocele, dyspareunia, and other aftereffects of delivery.
Most patients must be taught an awareness of the muscle and how to control it. This usually can be done by having the woman shut off urine flow while sitting on the commode. After a few trials the sensation of control is recognized and the patient is able to perform the exercise on her own. Usually the exercises are begun with five or ten contractions before arising in the morning and also during each voiding of urine. Gradually the number of sessions and the number of contractions are increased until ultimately a pattern of three hundred daily contractions is reached. The exercises require concentration but a small expenditure of energy. Once the muscle has been strengthened it tends to maintain its strength and state of partial contraction at all times. Sexual activity helps preserve the muscle tone.
Contraction and release of the pubococcygeus muscle (Kegel exercises) can improve muscle tone, thereby providing better support to the pelvic organs. From Nichols and Zwelling, 1997.
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