Effect of Exercise on the Width and Stiffness of the Linea Alba in Postpartum Women With Diastasis

In this study, the effect of an exercise program on postpartum women with diastasis will be evaluated. Diastasis will be defined as an inter-rectus distance greater than 2 cm at any of the points assessed by ultrasound (5 cm above the navel, at the level of the navel, and 2 cm below the navel).

Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will receive an exercise program for 6 weeks, while the other group will serve as the control group, receiving usual care. An ultrasound assessment of the linea alba will be performed before the start of the study and after 6 weeks.

The main variables evaluated will be inter-rectus distance and the stiffness of the linea alba measured by shear wave elastography, in addition to obstetric and personal variables obtained from the medical history. Participants will be recruited from primary care centers in the Community of Madrid through midwives during postpartum consultations.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult woman (> 18 years old)
• Women who agreed to participate and provided written informed consent
• Women between 6 and 12 weeks postpartum at the time of recruitment.

Exclusion criteria

• History of previous abdominal surgery ( except cesarean section)
• Presence of abdominal or umbilical hernias
• Current pregnancy
• Neuromuscular or systemic conditions affectinf the abdominal wall
• Active infections
• Any condition that could intervere with the correct execution of the measurement protocol.
• Incomplete records or measurements that do not meet elastography quality criteria will be excluded.