Table 1.
Glossary of pelvic floor muscle related terminology used in this review
| Pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) | PFMC refers to voluntary activation of the pelvic floor muscle (PFM). Correct contraction involves an inward lift and squeeze around the urethra, vagina and anus [10] |
| Pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) | This refers to performance of correct repeated PFMCs. A programme of repeated contractions is the basis of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) |
| Routine recommendation of PFME | This refers to recommendation of PFME to every pregnant woman as part of regular antenatal clinical practice. This might or might not be accompanied by further PFME education, assessment and/or training |
| PFME education | PFME education is the provision of information with the aim of increasing knowledge or understanding of PFME. This might include information about PFMC, how to perform a correct voluntary PFMC, why PFMT might be important during pregnancy, for example, to prevent or treat pelvic floor problems like urinary incontinence |
| PFMC assessment | This refers to subjective or objective assessment, or measurement, of PFM function, defined as the ability to perform a correct voluntary PFMC, and/or PFME, including the number of repetitions, and the quality and duration of contractions |
| Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) | PFMT refers to participation in a planned, progressive, supervised PFME programme to achieve a performance goal. Training involves teaching performance of a correct PFMC, tailored/individualised prescription of sufficient exercise dose (frequency, intensity, duration) to achieve desired changes in muscle physiology (for example, hypertrophy) and support for adherence to the prescribed treatment [32] |
| Implementation | In this review, implementation refers to the process of putting PFME education, assessment or PFMT into clinical practice |
| Uptake | An attempt made by a person to initially engage in an activity such as PFMT |
| Adoption | Regular performance of an activity in the short term |
| Maintenance | Sustained performance of an activity over time, including starting again after stopping (relapse or setback management) |