Pelvic Floor in Female Athletes: From Function to Dysfunction

2018 ◽  
pp. 145-153
Author(s):  
Alice Carvalhais ◽  
Thuane Da Roza ◽  
Cinara Sacomori
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Female Athletes

scholarly journals Urinary and anal incontinence among female gymnasts and cheerleaders—bother and associated factors. A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Lindquist Skaug ◽  
Marie Ellström Engh ◽  
Helena Frawley ◽  
Kari Bø
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Anal Incontinence ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Sports Performance ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Female Gymnasts

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis Artistic gymnastics, team gymnastics and cheerleading are sports including high-impact activities. It is presumed that the athletes’ pelvic floor must be functioning well to prevent urinary (UI) and anal incontinence (AI) during sports. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for UI and AI in female artistic gymnasts, team gymnasts and cheerleaders; the influence of UI and AI on daily living and sport performance; and the athletes’ knowledge about the pelvic floor muscles (PFM). Methods All female athletes ≥ 12 years of age competing in ≥ 1 National Championship in artistic gymnastics, team gymnastics or cheerleading in 2018/2019 were invited. International Consensus on Incontinence Questionnaires were used to assess the prevalence/bother of UI and AI. Results Among the 319 gymnasts and cheerleaders who participated, the prevalence of UI and AI was 67% and 84%, respectively. Age, training ≥ 4 days/week and straining to void were significantly associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and years of training with AI. Eighty-three percent of athletes with SUI reported a negative effect on sports performance, 22% would occasionally avoid training or specific exercises because of leakage, and 28% used pads for protection. Forty-one percent of the athletes had never heard about the PFM, and 74% reported an interest in PFM training to prevent/treat UI or AI. Conclusions UI and AI were prevalent in female gymnasts and cheerleaders, and SUI negatively influenced sport performance. The athletes’ knowledge about the PFM was limited.

scholarly journals Development of a screening tool for pelvic floor dysfunction in female athletes: protocol of a Delphi consensus

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Giagio ◽  
Andrea Turolla ◽  
Tiziano Innocenti ◽  
Stefano Salvioli ◽  
Giulia Gava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Delphi Consensus

Background/aim: Several epidemiological studies have found a high prevalence of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) among female athletes. However, according to several authors, these data could even be underestimated, both in research and clinical practice. Screening for potential PFD is often delayed and risk factors are not often evaluated. As a consequence, withdrawal from sport, negative influence on performance, worsening symptoms and unrecognized diagnosis may occur. The aim of our research is to develop a screening tool for pelvic floor dysfunction in female athletes useful for clinicians (musculoskeletal/sport physiotherapists, sports medicine physicians, team physicians) to guide referral to a PFD expert (e.g. pelvic floor/women's health physiotherapist, gynecologist, uro-gynecologist, urologist). Methods: A 2-round modified Delphi study will be conducted to ascertain expert opinion on which combination of variables and risk factors should be included in the screening tool. Conclusion: The implementation of the present screening tool into clinical practice may facilitate the referral to a PFD expert for further assessment of the pelvic floor and therefore, to identify potential dysfunction and, eventually, the related treatment pathway.

scholarly journals Correction: Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Female Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Telma Filipa Pires ◽  
Patricia Maria Pires ◽  
Maria Helena Moreira ◽  
Ronaldo Eugênio Calçadas Dias Gabriel ◽  
Paulo Vicente João ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Muscle Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled

scholarly journals Reeducation of pelvic floor muscles in volleyball athletes

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 428-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Ferreira ◽  
Margarida Ferreira ◽  
Alice Carvalhais ◽  
Paula Clara Santos ◽  
Paula Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscles ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Urinary Leakage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

Objective: to verify the effectiveness of the pelvic floor muscles rehabilitation program (PFMRP) in female volleyball athletes, analyzing the amount and frequency of urinary leakage. Methods: experimental study. The sample consisted of 32 female athletes from Famalicão Athletic Volleyball Club (Portugal). The athletes were selected by convenience and distributed randomly into two groups: experimental group (EG = 16 athletes) and the control group (CG = 16 athletes). The EG underwent PFMRP for three months. The PFMRP was the awareness and identification of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM), pre-timed PFM contraction prior to occasions of increased intra-abdominal pressure, and 30 daily contractions of MPP at home. The CG had only access to the pamphlet. The assessment instruments included the questionnaires, the Pad Test (amount of urinary leakage) and frequency record of urinary leakage (7-day diary) before and after PFMRP. Results: the amount of urine leakage decreased in 45.5% of athletes under PFMRP intervention, and in 4.9% of athletes in CG, with statistical differences between the groups (p < 0.001). The reduction in the frequency of urinary leakage was 14.3% in EG, and 0.05% in CG, a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: PFMRP in this study was effective to reduce stress urinary incontinence in female volleyball athletes. The program allowed significant improvement of symptoms of quantity and frequency of urinary leakage.

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

Physiotherapy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Józef A. Opara ◽  
Teresa Socha ◽  
Anna Poświata
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Stress Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Urinary Continence ◽  
Competitive Sport ◽  
Prevention Method ◽  
Respiratory Exercises

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.

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