Prevalence, Knowledge, and Perceived Impact of Urinary Incontinence in Female Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is prevalent among collegiate female athletes at much higher rates than in sedentary women. Athletes participating in high-impact sports have a greater risk of UI, which can negatively impact performance. Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the prevalence of UI among female collegiate athletes, (2) to evaluate the impact of incontinence on individual function and perceived athletic performance, and (3) to determine athletes' awareness of physical therapist management of UI. Study Design: An observational, cross-sectional design with convenience sampling was used. Methods: Two hundred seventy-nine female collegiate student athletes were invited to participate in an online survey. The survey included informed consent, questions about age and athletic participation, and questions about participants' experience with UI and knowledge of pelvic floor physical therapy. Descriptive statistics were performed to identify frequencies for age and sports/athletic participation. Frequencies for all variables were used as an exploratory measure to assess sample characteristics. Pearson correlation analyses were used to examine relationships between demographic variables and survey responses. Results: Online surveys were received from 52 respondents. Twenty-one (40.4%) reported never experiencing UI. In those who did report UI, it was consistent with activities related to stress UI. Most respondents were not aware that physical therapists treat pelvic floor dysfunction including UI. Conclusion: Prevalence of UI among female college athletes was consistent with prior research. More education is needed in this population on the impact and treatment of UI, including the role of physical therapists.