Heart rate variability response to a pelvic floor muscle contraction protocol in young women

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a variable used to analyze the autonomic nervous system influence over the heart rate. The sympathetic and parasympathetic modulations during different physical activities have been largely described in literature using HRV. However, no studies were found analyzing the autonomic response before, during or after pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises. These exercises are considered level A evidence for treatment of many PFM dysfunctions.