Figure 2. Fatigability and Recovery.

A-B: Time-to-task failure for the intermittent isometric submaximal trunk flexion fatiguing exercise at time points for postpartum (pooled), control, vaginal delivery, and cesarean delivery at 8-10 weeks postpartum [A] and 24-26 weeks postpartum[B]. *=group difference at the time point (postpartum vs control); γ=improvement compared to initial timepoint; #=delivery group difference at the time point (vaginal vs Cesarean). C-D: MVC torque before (baseline), immediately after (task failure, TF), and 10 minutes (R10) and 20 minutes (R20) after fatiguing trunk flexor exercise for controls vs postpartum women at 8-10 weeks [C] and 24-26 weeks [D]. Postpartum women generate lower maximal torque than control women at all time points. Postpartum women demonstrate impaired recovery of MVC strength up to 10 weeks postpartum [C], but show a similar recovery pattern to control women at 26 weeks postpartum [D]. *=group difference at the time point (postpartum vs control); δ=different from baseline MVC. E-F: No statistical difference is present between modes of delivery at either time point [E & F]. Postpartum women demonstrate a decline in baseline MVC strength from 8-26 weeks, driven by a loss of strength for women in the vaginal delivery group. δ=different from baseline MVC.