Comparative Effects of Hypopressive and Split Tummy Exercises in Postpartum Diastasis Recti

Summary

To compare the effects of hypopressive exercises and split tummy (transverse abdominal activation-based) exercises on inter-recti distance (IRD), pelvic floor muscle strength and function, and overall quality of life improvements in postpartum women with diastasis recti. This study will be randomized clinical trial and will be conducted in Hameed Latif Hospital Lahore and Civil Hospital Sukkur. The total duration of treatment will be 8 week. Non-probability convenience sampling technique will be used and 50 participants will be recruited in study after randomization. The subjects will be divided into two groups. Group A will receive hypopressive exercise with baseline treatment abdominal binding. Group B will receive baseline treatment with split tummy exercises.

Conditions

• Diastasis Recti

Interventions

OTHER

hypopressive exercise

For participants in Group A, series of postural and breathing-based sequences will be given. Base-line is abdominal binding I will performed hypopressive exercises in various positions (lying, sitting, leaning forward, standing and quadruped) to improve breath control, abdominal contraction and pelvic floor engagement. Each session began with focused breathing, full increasing based on tolerance. Exercises were repeated in different postures to assess endurance in each, as individual holding each contraction 5 seconds and relax for 10 seconds capacity varied by position. Participants engaged in these exercises for 20 minutes, 3 times per week, over a 8 week period, with moderate to high intensity based on breath-hold duration and postural demand.

OTHER

split tummy exercises

Base-line abdominal binding I will perform isometric exercises (1) Modified plank hold (2) Pelvic tilts (3) Transverse abdominis engagement. For modified plank hold in this position participants with their knees on the ground instead of toes. Engage core muscles and hold for 30 to 60 seconds. For pelvic tilts participants lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Tilt the pelvic upwards and then back down again, repeating the motion in a slow and controlled manner. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. For transverse abdominis engagement participants lies on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Engage transverse abdominis muscle and drawing belly button towards spine. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. 3 times in a week involving at least three sets of 10 repetitions each. To improved core strength and stability, increased muscle endurance and isometric exercises can be low-impact, making them suitable for individuals with diastasis recti.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Hafiza Iqra Rubab, MSWHPT · Riphah International University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

24 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-10-01

Primary Completion

2026-07-01

Completion

2026-07-01

Countries

• Pakistan