GENDER-SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES OF NORMATIVE VALUES OF PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE FUNCTION IN HEALTHY ADULTS POPULATION: AN OBSERVATIONAL ANALYTICAL STUDY

I. Khowailed1, H. Disney1, H. Lee21University of Saint Augustine, Physical Therapy, San Diego, United States, 2Gachon University, Korea, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of)Background: Females and males differ significantly in gross anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor muscle, and these differences are commonly discussed in the scientific literature. However, less attention is dedicated to investigating the normative values of PFM function between females and males.Purpose: Our study aims to describe the normal reference values of PFM function in females and males of healthy adult population using transabdominal ultrasound.Methods: 200 healthy adults, including 71 males and 129 females consented to participate in this study. Bladder base displacement was measured using a sagittal curved linear array 2 to 5 MHz transducer over the suprapubic region. The amount of bladder base movement on ultrasound was measured in all subjects from freeze frame ultrasound images and considered as an indicator of PFM function.Results: The average age of subjects was (26.1 ±2.6 years), (24.4 ± 3.7 BMI). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in transabdominal ultrasound measurement for PFM function (P=0.00000). The bladder base displacement was significantly greater in males compared to females (0.65 ± 0.42 vs. 0.38±0.35, p