Incontinence In Female Athletes Research Articles

Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review on Prevalence and Physical Therapy Approaches.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is an involuntary leakage of urine and is classified as stress, mixed, or urge. It is more common in females due to anatomical and physiological body differences. Moreover, the literature remarks an evident presence of UI with high-intensity physical activities. Therefore, the present integrative systematic review focused on the studies aimed at investigating the prevalence of UI in nulliparous sportswomen, studies illustrating sport-specific prevalence of UI, and studies demonstrating the impact of physical therapy intervention on UI. A literature search was carried out systematically on electronic databases consisting of Cochrane and Google Scholar databases from 2018 to December 2023. The keywords utilized to perform the literature search and include relevant articles consisted of "urinary incontinence," AND "nulliparous," AND "sportswomen," OR "female athletes," AND "physical therapy". A total of nine studies were included in the present systematic review. The quality assessment of the studies was performed by using a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews (AMSTAR 2) scale, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for cross-sectional and randomized controlled trial studies. The data extracted included first author and year of publication, study design, sample or number of individuals involved in the study, age range of the participants, type of UI, type of sports involved, purpose of the study, methodological part, outcome measures derived, conclusion, and quality assessment of the studies. The review concludedthat nulliparous athletes, especially those participating in high-impactactivities, have a significant prevalence of UI. In addition,the physical therapy intervention consisting of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT)along with education about pertinent pelvic anatomy was mostly performed on female athletes for the prevention and management of UI.

Urinary incontinence in female athletes with inadequate eating behavior: a case-control study.

Female athletes can develop symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI) as well as risk behaviors for eating disorders owing to the type of training and sports modality. Such symptoms are intensified by the demands for results and an idealized body composition. Our aim is to investigate the possible association between urinary incontinence and risk behaviors for eating disorders in female athletes. A case-control study was conducted with 270 female athletes who answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ-SF) and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Different sports modalities and their respective impact levels were considered in the study. Female athletes were divided into two groups, i.e., athletes with UI (case group) and those without UI (control group). Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate associated factors. From all variables included in the study, only abnormal eating behavior was found to be associated with UI according to the multiple logistic regression test. Participants with UI were 2.15-fold more likely to have risk behaviors for eating disorders. Female athletes with UI were more likely to have risk behaviors for eating disorders. Multidisciplinary teams that provide care for these athletes should be attentive to symptoms that may not appear to be associated at first glance but may reflect a condition that needs to be treated.

Observational Study on the Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes.

Purpose: To study the prevalence of UI in female athletes, the category of sports with the highest number of cases, the most incident risk factors and the bio-psycho-social consequences. Methods: Preparation of a survey, based on two validated questionnaires answered by 63 participants, to carry out an analytical, transversal and observational study. All participants were European, adult, female athletes (mean age 30.78 years, standard deviation 12.16 years). Results: UI has a high prevalence (44.4%) in female athletes (compared to 10% in non-athletes), being more frequent in those who practice long-distance running. As age and years of sport practice increase, the incidence of this pathology increases. Absorbent pads are used by more than half of women with incontinence, while the rest wet their underwear. Menopause, childbirth and surgery in the region are risk factors for UI, while the presence of urinary tract infections or candidiasis is not. The results state that urine loss does not cause anxiety or depression, but it does affect sporting life. Conclusions: The prevalence of UI in this study is very high and more common in female athletes and the incidence increases with age and other risk factors. The salient consequence of this study is that urine loss affects their sporting environment, but does not induce depression or anxiety.

Low energy availability and impact sport participation as risk factors for urinary incontinence in female athletes

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) is a clinical syndrome that includes the many complex health and performance consequences of low energy availability (EA) in athletes, when there is insufficient caloric intake to meet exercise-related energy expenditure and to support basic physiologic functions. There is a high prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in female athletes and it is more common in female athletes than non-athletes. The objective of this study was to determine if low EA is associated with UI in a population of adolescent and young adult female athletes and to evaluate for an association between sport categories and UI. 1000 nulliparous female patients, ages 15-30 years, presenting to a sports medicine subspecialty clinic, provided informed consent/assent to participate in a cross-sectional study involving a comprehensive survey, anthropomorphic measurements, and medical record review. Low EA was defined as meeting ≥1 criterion: self-reported history of eating disorder/disordered eating (ED/DE), and/or a high score on the Brief Eating Disorder in Athletes Questionnaire (BEDA-Q), and/or a high score on the Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care (ESP). UI was assessed using questions adapted from the International Consultation on Incontinence-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF), questions regarding timing of UI onset/duration, and a binary question regarding UI during sport activities. A total of 36 sport types were included in the survey and sub-divided into categories. Of the 1000 female athletes surveyed, 165 (16.5%) reported a history of experiencing UI during athletic activities. ICIQ- UI-SF responses indicated that 14% (137/1000) of the cohort experienced slight incontinence, 4% (35/1000) moderate incontinence, and 2 athletes experienced severe incontinence. There was a significant difference between UI categories in age (p=0.01), low EA (p<0.001), and sport category (p<0.001). Females who had low EA had twice the likelihood (OR=1.97; 95% CI=1.39 to 2.81; p<0.001) of UI compared to those with adequate EA, controlling for sports category and menstrual dysfunction. Females who participated in high impact sports were 4.5 times more likely (OR=4.47; 95% CI=2.29 to 8.74; p<0.001) to have had UI compared to females who participated in ball sports, controlling for EA and menstrual dysfunction. UI during athletic activities is a common problem among nulliparous adolescent and young adult female athletes, occurring in 16.5% of female athletes surveyed. UI was significantly associated with low EA across all sport categories. Sport type was significantly associated with UI, with the highest impact sport group demonstrating a higher prevalence and symptom severity compared to other sport categories.

Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in High-Impact Sport Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study was to systematize the scientific evidence that assessed the prevalence of urinary incontinence in female athletes and determine which modality is most predisposed to stress urinary incontinence. From September to December 2018, a systematic literature search of current interventional studies of stress urinary incontinence of the last ten years was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The methodological quality was assessed by the Downs and Black scale, while the data collected from the studies were analyzed through meta-analysis. Nine studies met the eligibility criteria, meaning they included reports of urinary incontinence in different sports. The meta-analysis showed 25.9% prevalence of urinary incontinence in female athletes in different sports, as well as 20.7% prevalence of stress urinary incontinence. The most prevalent high impact sport was volleyball, with the value of 75.6%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence can be high in female athletes, with high-impact sports potentially increasing the risk for stress urinary incontinence. Further research is needed regarding the potential risk factors related to the onset of urinary incontinence.

What is the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in female athletes?

What is the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in female athletes?

Re: Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review

Re: Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review

Re: Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Re: Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in female athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is any involuntary loss of urine. In female athletes, physical exercise may be a risk factor for UI because of increased intra-abdominal pressure generated during high-impact exercises, which overloads the pelvic organs, predisposing them to UI. This is a systematic review of the prevalence of UI in female athletes in different sports. A search for articles was carried out in the PEDro, Scopus, Cinahl, PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases as well as a manual search of the references of studies already published on the subject with the keywords "athlete," "urinary incontinence," and "women" in Portuguese and English. Only articles published from 2000 to 2016 were included. Observational studies assessing the prevalence of UI in female athletes were selected. Methodological quality was assessed using the Downs and Black scale, and the data collected from the studies were analyzed through meta-analysis. Eight studies met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis showed a 36% prevalence of UI in female athletes in different sports, and compared with sedentary women, the athletes had a 177% higher risk of presenting with UI. There is a higher prevalence of UI in female athletes compared with sedentary women. There have been reports of UI in different sports.

Urinary incontinence in female athletes: a systematic review.

People are increasingly aware of healthy lifestyles. Extenuating practice can injure the pelvic floor. Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition in women whether they exercise professionally or not. The most common symptom is stress UI. It is reported in a large variety of sports and may interfere with everyday life or training, leading athletes to change or compromise their performance or risk compromising it. We aimed to assess the prevalence of UI in female athletes and to determine whether the type of sport might also influence UI. A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and LILACS up to 23 January 2017. The search strategy included the keywords pelvic floor disorders, urinary incontinence, athletes, and sports. The inclusion criterion was studies of women who performed any kind of sport with a prevalence of UI. The subjects were female, with no restriction for age, sport modality, or frequency of training. The outcome was prevalence of UI. The search identified 385 studies, 22 of which met the methodologic criteria for complete analysis. In this review, 7507 women aged 12 to 69years were included. Only five studies compared physically active women to controls. Every study included high or moderate impact activities involving jumping, fast running, and rotational movements. In total, 17 sport modalities were analyzed. The prevalence of UI varied from 5.56% in low-impact activity to 80% in trampolining. In athletes, the prevalence of incontinence ranged from 10.88% to 80%, showing that the amount of training influences UI symptoms. High-impact activities showed a 1.9-fold prevalence over medium-impact activities and 4,59-fold prevalence over impact activities. Factors such as hormone use, smoking, or menopausal status could not be assessed since they were not detailed in most of the studies. These data suggest that sports practice increases the prevalence of UI and that the type of activity performed by women also has a bearing on the disorder.

Effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training in treating urinary incontinence in women: A current review

ObjectiveTo analyze the content of various published studies related to physical exercise and its effects on urinary incontinence and to determine the effectiveness of pelvic floor training programs. MethodWe conducted a search in the databases of PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Plus Library, The Cochrane Library, WOS and SPORTDiscus and a manual search in the Google Scholar metasearcher using the search descriptors for documents published in the last 10 years in Spanish or English. The documents needed to have an abstract or complete text on the treatment of urinary incontinence in female athletes and in women in general. ResultsWe selected three full-text articles on treating urinary incontinence in female athletes and six full-text articles and one abstract on treating urinary incontinence in women in general. The nine studies included in the review achieved positive results, i.e., there was improvement in the disease in all of the studies. ConclusionsPhysical exercise, specifically pelvic floor muscle training programs, has positive effects on urinary incontinence. This type of training has been shown to be an effective program for treating urinary incontinence, especially stress urinary incontinence.

Efectividad del entrenamiento de la musculatura del suelo pélvico en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria en la mujer: una revisión actual

ObjectiveTo analyse the content of various published studies related to physical exercise and its effects on urinary incontinence and to determine the effectiveness of pelvic floor training programmes. MethodWe conducted a search in the databases of PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Plus Library, The Cochrane Library, WOS and SPORTDiscus and a manual search in the Google Scholar metasearcher using the search descriptors for documents published in the last 10 years in Spanish or English. The documents needed to have an abstract or complete text on the treatment of urinary incontinence in female athletes and in women in general. ResultsWe selected 3 full-text articles on treating urinary incontinence in female athletes and 6 full-text articles and 1 abstract on treating urinary incontinence in women in general. The 9 studies included in the review achieved positive results, i.e., there was improvement in the disease in all of the studies. ConclusionsPhysical exercise, specifically pelvic floor muscle training programmes, has positive effects on urinary incontinence. This type of training has been shown to be an effective programme for treating urinary incontinence, especially stress urinary incontinence.

Stress Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes

Stress Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes

Pelvic floor muscle exercise as the best stress urinary incontinence prevention method in women practising competitive sport

AbstractExercises in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) cover Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises (PFME), also known in literature as Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) or Kegel exercises; isometric exercises, exercises of the abdominal and gluteal muscles and of the adductor of thigh, respiratory exercises carried out through the abdominal tract, exercises in water. In persons with urinary incontinence, the interaction between the pelvic floor muscles and the transverse abdominal muscle is impaired, suggesting a significant role of this muscle in urinary continence. Consequently, a moderate training, e.g. including exercises of Pilates method, may be part of the therapy. Stress urinary incontinence is a frequent occurrence among women practising competitive sport. In the review article we have presented the incidence of stress urinary incontinence in sportswomen, risk factors and physiotherapeutic treatment. We have paid specific attention to the prevention of stress urinary incontinence in female athletes.

Screening for Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes

Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any unwanted loss of urine that causes a social or hygienic problem.1 Urinary incontinence is a common health symptom among females and can occur across a broad age range. A review of the available evidence suggests that up to 82% of women can be affected by this condition.1 Given this observation, female athletes and other physically active individuals likely experience UI in their activities of daily living and in their sport and physical activity.2-5 The social costs of UI symptoms often discourage helpseeking behaviors, and only approximately 25% of American women with UI are estimated to speak with a physician about this health symptom.1 Given that UI is found across a wide spectrum of people, sports health care practitioners are uniquely positioned in their injury prevention and health promotion role to screen for and identify those individuals with or at risk for UI. The purpose of this article is to provide practitioners with an understanding of the types of UI and to provide a framework for preparticipation screening for the identification of UI in female athletes.

Occurrence Rates and Predictors of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Incontinence in Female Athletes

To assess the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and incontinence in female athletes and to determine the etiological factors. An anonymous self-questionnaire was collected from 623 casual female athletes aged 18 to 56 years, who were involved in 12 different sports. The surveys were distributed by hand to the athletes, during their sports fitness tests, in a sports center. We investigated the relationship between urinary disorders and factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), parity, duration of physical exercise, and type of sport. The prevalence of LUTS was 54.7%, and 30% for urinary incontinence. Changes in urinary frequency were detected in 91 (14.6%) women. Prevalence of dysuria was 13.3%, urinary straining was present in 173 (27.8%) athletes, whereas urinary urgency had an estimated prevalence of 37.2% with 232 athletes suffering from this disorder. Urgency was very common in volleyball players, as was dysuria among hockey and basketball players, whereas straining mainly affected aerobic participants and cyclists. Long training hours and competitive practices were correlated with the onset of LUTS. High-impact sports were more frequently associated with incontinence, while low-impact sports with LUTS. The sport with the main number of incontinent people was football. Urge incontinence affected a lot of athletes, mainly cyclists and football players. Stress incontinence was more frequent in hockey and volleyball players. LUTS and incontinence are prevalent in female athletes. In many cases, the disorders were present only during sports activities. In this sample, the presence of urinary disorders did not seem to be a barrier during sports or exercise.

Ambulatory Device for Urinary Incontinence Detection in Female Athletes

Urinary incontinence (UI) has been known as a prevalent concern among parous and elderly women. However, recent studies have shown an unexpectedly high occurrence of UI in young physically fit female athletes who are actively participating in vigorous physical activities. Those study results motivated us to explore the relationship between daily intensive exercise and the occurrence of UI. As the first step to advance our understanding of this problem, an ambulatory device was developed for recording urological response to the intense force levels to which female athletes are subjected. The device consists of three types of wearable sensors, including 1) a +/– 25g tri-axial accelerometer, 2) a 360° biaxial inclinometer and 3) a urinary leakage detector or ULD. It also contains a compact data logger for real-time data recording with high frequency and precision (125 Hz, 16-bit A/D converter). The accelerometer and inclinometer help to determine the force levels developed in the body during physical activities at which urinary leakage occurs. Two types of ULD sensors have been designed: (1) copper lattice ULD, and (2) thermistor array ULD. Copper lattice ULD senses the UI based on the fact that urine drops reduce the resistance of the copper lattice resulting in a voltage change. The thermistor array ULD makes use of the finding that leaked urine is warmer than the surface of the skin, such that the integrated thermal components respond to urine leakage differently. In addition, a thermoelectric cooler is applied to produce a constant reference temperature. The entire device is small, lightweight, nonintrusive, and can be worn comfortably by subjects on their wrists or low back for at least 3 hours of continuous data recording. The test results from the recruited female athletes show that the three sensors can simultaneously record the intensity of activity and the corresponding urine leakage. However, for the copper lattice ULD, substantial sweat developed during the vigorous activity which produced an artifact and prevented the device from detecting the occurrence of urine leakage. The recently designed thermistor array ULD is less sensitive to sweat, resulting a more reliable sensor than is provided by the copper lattice ULD. The wearable sensor based device enables us to determine if urinary incontinence in female athletes occurs during vigorous physical activities or as a result of the fatigue caused by these activities. This conclusion facilitates the understanding of the mechanism of UI and assists trainers and coaches with the design of an appropriate training program that reduces the occurrence of UI in these female athletes.