Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
Pelvic floor exercises can help men who use wheelchairs improve bladder control and reduce leakage. Physiotherapist Michelle Kenway guides you through seated pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises that strengthen the muscles supporting bladder control and core stability.
This guided routine is suitable for men with limited mobility — including those who use wheelchairs because of amputation, arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. Pelvic floor training can help manage bladder leakage when coughing or sneezing and reduce symptoms of bladder urgency (overactive bladder).
Note: These exercises are not suitable for men with spinal cord injury or neurogenic bladder.
Timestamps
00:00 Kegel Exercises for Men Who Use Wheelchairs
00:37 Best Position for Pelvic Floor Exercises
01:42 How to Find Pelvic Floor Muscles in Men
02:29 Correct Pelvic Floor Exercises Technique
03:14 Real-Time Guided Pelvic Floor Endurance Exercise
03:51 Self-Check: Correct Exercise Technique
04:39 Short Power Kegels for Stress Incontinence
05:52 How to Stop Bladder Leaks When Coughing or Sneezing
06:50 Daily Pelvic Floor Training Dose for Bladder Control
Pelvic Floor Exercise Positions (Beginners)
For men in wheelchairs, correct posture optimises pelvic floor muscle activation.
Sit tall, ensure knees are slightly lower than hips, lean forward gently, and use lumbar support if needed.
Finding Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
Sit upright and gently rock side to side to feel the area between your sitting bones.
To identify the pelvic floor muscles, contract as if stopping urine flow — this is your target area.
Endurance Kegels – For Bladder Urgency
Gently contract your pelvic floor muscles, drawing the penis inwards.
Hold for up to 10 seconds, then relax completely.
Perform up to 10 repetitions, six times per day to strengthen endurance (slow-twitch) muscle fibres for bladder control.
Power Kegels – For Stress Incontinence
Contract firmly for one second, then release.
Repeat up to 10 times, six times per day to train fast-twitch fibres that prevent leaks during coughing or sneezing.
The Cough Test – Preventing Bladder Leaks
Cough with pelvic floor relaxed. Then contract pelvic floor muscles before and during a cough to prevent leakage. Use this technique whenever you cough, sneeze, or laugh.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Tips
• Avoid squeezing buttocks or tightening abdominal muscles.
• Breathe normally throughout.
• Start gently and progress gradually.
Effective incontinence treatment for men relies on correct, consistent pelvic floor training guided by a qualified physiotherapist.
▶️ Subscribe for weekly physiotherapy-guided pelvic health videos → @michellephysio
Free resources: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au
References
Hodges P. W., Stafford R. E., Hall L., et al. (2020). Reconsideration of pelvic floor muscle training to prevent and treat incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Urologic Oncology, 38(5), 354–371. doi.org/10.1016/j.urolonc.2019.12.007
Stafford R. E., Ashton-Miller J. A., et al. (2016). Pattern of activation of pelvic floor muscles in men differs with verbal instructions. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 35(4), 457–463. doi.org/10.1002/nau.22745
Milios J., Ackland T. R., & Green D. J. (2019). Pelvic floor muscle training in radical prostatectomy: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Urology, 19(1), 116. doi.org/10.1186/s12894-019-0546-5
Henry Vandyke Carter, Public Domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Fat Les (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons
Disclaimer
The information in this video is general in nature and does not replace individual medical advice.
Always consult your qualified health professional before acting on the content provided.
© Healthy Fit Solutions Pty Ltd as trustee for the P & M Kenway Family Trust.
Full disclaimer: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au/disclaimer
#PelvicFloorExercises #MensHealth #Physiotherapy #WheelchairFitness #KegelExercisesForMen #BladderControl #OveractiveBladder #SeatedExercise #MichelleKenway #PelvicHealth #IncontinenceSupport #WheelchairPhysio
Pelvic floor exercises can help men who use wheelchairs improve bladder control and reduce leakage. Physiotherapist Michelle Kenway guides you through seated pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises that strengthen the muscles supporting bladder control and core stability.
This guided routine is suitable for men with limited mobility — including those who use wheelchairs because of amputation, arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. Pelvic floor training can help manage bladder leakage when coughing or sneezing and reduce symptoms of bladder urgency (overactive bladder).
Note: These exercises are not suitable for men with spinal cord injury or neurogenic bladder.
Timestamps
00:00 Kegel Exercises for Men Who Use Wheelchairs
00:37 Best Position for Pelvic Floor Exercises
01:42 How to Find Pelvic Floor Muscles in Men
02:29 Correct Pelvic Floor Exercises Technique
03:14 Real-Time Guided Pelvic Floor Endurance Exercise
03:51 Self-Check: Correct Exercise Technique
04:39 Short Power Kegels for Stress Incontinence
05:52 How to Stop Bladder Leaks When Coughing or Sneezing
06:50 Daily Pelvic Floor Training Dose for Bladder Control
Pelvic Floor Exercise Positions (Beginners)
For men in wheelchairs, correct posture optimises pelvic floor muscle activation.
Sit tall, ensure knees are slightly lower than hips, lean forward gently, and use lumbar support if needed.
Finding Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
Sit upright and gently rock side to side to feel the area between your sitting bones.
To identify the pelvic floor muscles, contract as if stopping urine flow — this is your target area.
Endurance Kegels – For Bladder Urgency
Gently contract your pelvic floor muscles, drawing the penis inwards.
Hold for up to 10 seconds, then relax completely.
Perform up to 10 repetitions, six times per day to strengthen endurance (slow-twitch) muscle fibres for bladder control.
Power Kegels – For Stress Incontinence
Contract firmly for one second, then release.
Repeat up to 10 times, six times per day to train fast-twitch fibres that prevent leaks during coughing or sneezing.
The Cough Test – Preventing Bladder Leaks
Cough with pelvic floor relaxed. Then contract pelvic floor muscles before and during a cough to prevent leakage. Use this technique whenever you cough, sneeze, or laugh.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Tips
• Avoid squeezing buttocks or tightening abdominal muscles.
• Breathe normally throughout.
• Start gently and progress gradually.
Effective incontinence treatment for men relies on correct, consistent pelvic floor training guided by a qualified physiotherapist.
▶️ Subscribe for weekly physiotherapy-guided pelvic health videos → @michellephysio
Free resources: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au
References
Hodges P. W., Stafford R. E., Hall L., et al. (2020). Reconsideration of pelvic floor muscle training to prevent and treat incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Urologic Oncology, 38(5), 354–371. doi.org/10.1016/j.urolonc.2019.12.007
Stafford R. E., Ashton-Miller J. A., et al. (2016). Pattern of activation of pelvic floor muscles in men differs with verbal instructions. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 35(4), 457–463. doi.org/10.1002/nau.22745
Milios J., Ackland T. R., & Green D. J. (2019). Pelvic floor muscle training in radical prostatectomy: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Urology, 19(1), 116. doi.org/10.1186/s12894-019-0546-5
Henry Vandyke Carter, Public Domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Fat Les (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons
Disclaimer
The information in this video is general in nature and does not replace individual medical advice.
Always consult your qualified health professional before acting on the content provided.
© Healthy Fit Solutions Pty Ltd as trustee for the P & M Kenway Family Trust.
Full disclaimer: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au/disclaimer
#PelvicFloorExercises #MensHealth #Physiotherapy #WheelchairFitness #KegelExercisesForMen #BladderControl #OveractiveBladder #SeatedExercise #MichelleKenway #PelvicHealth #IncontinenceSupport #WheelchairPhysio
