Immediate effects of corrective exercise versus curl-up in women with diastasis recti abdominis.

It is still unclear what types of exercise, beneficial to prevent and/or decrease diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). This study purposed to examine immediate effects of corrective exercise versus curl-up exercise on interrecti distance (IRD) and linea alba (LA) distortion in women with DRA. Twenty-three women with DRA were included. The IRD and the LA distortion (with distortion index formula) were measured with ultrasound imaging at rest, during curl-up and corrective exercise. The IRD, measured at above and below umbilicus, and the distortion index were different between the measurements at rest, during curl up and correction exercise (p < 0.05). In corrective exercise, the change in the IRD at above umbilicus decreased more than rest (p = 0.009) and curl-up (p = 0.004). The change in the IRD at below umbilicus decreased more in corrective exercise than rest (p = 0.033) and curl-up (p = 0.028). The distortion index increased more in corrective exercise than rest (p = 0.006). The index increased more in curl-up than rest (p = 0.029). The corrective exercise may be helpful in the treatment of DRA. Moreover, different muscle contractions that will provide the LA distortion should be taken into account in the treatment of DRA. • Corrective exercise is superior to curl-up and rest in narrowing IRD. • Both corrective and curl-up exercises are effective in increasing LA distortion. • The corrective exercise may be helpful in the treatment of DRA. • Different exercises for LA tension should be considered in the management of DRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]