Assessment of pelvic floor muscle contraction ability in healthy males following brief verbal instruction

This study assessed the ability of healthy men to contract their pelvic floor muscles on request, following standardised, brief, verbal instruction. Associations between self-reported lower urinary tract symptoms and the ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles on request were explored since there is currently no available data related to these topics. The study group, 52 healthy men (mean age of 22.6 years, SD 4.42), received brief, standardised instructions. Each man’s starting position was randomised to standing or crook lying. Bladder base elevation was observed and recorded using real-time transabdominal ultrasound imaging to determine muscle activation. Participants then completed a questionnaire recording age, body mass index, presence of chronic respiratory conditions, acute lower back pain and any lower urinary tract symptoms. Univariate logistic regression was applied to assess associations between ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles in each position, participant characteristics and study variables likely to impact upon lower urinary tract symptoms. Six participants (11.5%) were unable to perform the muscle contraction in either standing or crook lying, 17 (32.7%) men could not contract the muscles in crook lying and 14 (26.9%) could not contract the muscles when standing. While results suggest there is no optimal starting position in which to achieve pelvic floor muscle contraction in men, no assumptions should be made that an ability to contract those muscles is present or effective in young, asymptomatic men. This may have implications for interventions aimed at pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation following treatment for management of prostate cancer.