Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The long-term goal of my NSERC research program is to understand the contributions of female pelvic floor (PF) morphology and function to continence control. Worldwide, my lab is uniquely qualified to achieve this goal. My NSERC program incorporates two themes: 1)inventing robust (reliable, valid) methods to measure PF function in females, and 2) using these novel methods to understand normative female PF function. Our custom technologies and methods have been essential to our past discoveries regarding normative function of the female PF. In this DG cycle, I will expand this important work to investigate how intrinsic (age, race) and extrinsic (parity, exercise-related loading) factors affect PF morphology and function, and will model the importance of levator ani muscle (LAM) function, levator hiatus morphology, bladder neck support and closure, and urethral and PF kinematics and kinetics to continence control in females. Five research questions will be addressed: i) Is LAM strength, power, or motor control impacted by age, race, parity and/or loading? ii) Is levator hiatus size or shape impacted by age, race, parity and/or loading? iii) Are bladder neck support and closure, or urethral mobility impacted by age, race, parity and/or loading? iv) Is pelvic tissue excursion or resonance after whole body impact affected by age, race, parity and/or loading? v) Can urinary continence in females be predicted using a combination of LAM motor function, levator hiatus morphology,  bladder neck support and closure, urethral kinematics, and PF excursion and resonance while also considering age, race, parity and history of performing high impact activities as mediating factors? A large (n=300) sample of female volunteers, stratified by age, race, parity and history of participating in high impact activities will be recruited to participate. Gender will be included in all models where the distribution allows. The multivariate data set acquired from this sample will include all measures necessary to address all five research questions. Investment in this NSERC DG will generate breakthrough knowledge. Understanding the contributions of the female PF to continence control, will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the risk factors and mechanisms underlying failure of continence control in females, particularly among different ages, and races and considering life events. Highly Qualified Personnel will join a talented multi-disciplinary team and will participate in important, ground-breaking discoveries that will enrich Canadian society. The multiple components of this research program provide rich learning opportunities for a diverse group of trainees from different fields and at different levels. Inclusiveness is paramount within this training environment. Regular training activities, and standard operating procedures support the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness in all of our operations.