Abstract
Urinary incontinence (UI) is described as unintentional voiding of urine that is usually seen in post-partum and post-menopausal women due to the weakening of pelvic floor muscles (PFM). Recent studies have shown an increase in the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among young nulliparous female athletes. The association between UI and high-impact physical activity is due to increased intra-abdominal pressure during high-impact sports exceeding intra-urethral pressure. Usually, the levator ani muscle (LAM) helps in urethral closure. However, weakening or injury of LAM can reduce the pelvic support and cause UI in young female athletes. This study aims to assess the prevalence of SUI among young nulliparous athletes and also explore the association between SUI and athletic sports in young females. We searched PubMed and Google Scholar as databases to find specific articles about the topic. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 52 articles were selected for this review. It is found that there is an increased UI prevalence, mainly SUI, among young nulliparous female athletes, especially in volleyball players and long-distance runners. Nulliparous athletes involved in high-impact exercises were found to have an increased cross-sectional area of LAM and puborectalis muscle width. SUI is usually under-reported and underdiagnosed due to lack of knowledge and unawareness, which can negatively affect the personal and social life of young females. PFM training is considered the first line of therapy among nulliparous athletes. However, it is unclear whether the high-impact effects of sports cause UI through PFM fatigue or PFM damage. More research is needed to better understand this effect.
Highlights
BackgroundUrinary incontinence (UI) is described as an unintentional voiding of urine, which is most commonly seen in post-partum and post-menopausal women due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) [1]
This study aims to assess the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among young nulliparous athletes and explore the association between SUI and athletic sports in young females
Nulliparous athletes involved in high-impact exercises were found to have an increased cross-sectional area of levator ani muscle (LAM) and puborectalis muscle width
Summary
Urinary incontinence (UI) is described as an unintentional voiding of urine, which is most commonly seen in post-partum and post-menopausal women due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) [1]. SUI occurs in situations of increased abdominal pressure such as coughing, lifting weights, exertion, sneezing, jumping, and squatting It is more commonly seen in multiparous women, recent studies have shown increased SUI prevalence among young nulliparous female athletes [1]. This review article aims to assess the prevalence of SUI among young nulliparous female athletes in recent years and to explore how SUI may be associated with sports activities in young females. Athletes involved in high-impact exercises cause increased pressure in the pelvic muscles leading to an increased UI prevalence. A cross-sectional study (2018) had further concluded an increase in SUI prevalence among volleyball players as compared to other sports [23].
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