Jodie G Dakic1, Jill Cook2, Jean Hay-Smith3, Kuan-Yin Lin4, Helena Frawley5. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Australia. Electronic address: jodie.dakic@monash.edu. 2. La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Australia. 3. Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit, University of Otago, New Zealand. 4. Department of Physical Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. 5. Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To establish the impact of pelvic floor (PF) symptoms (urinary incontinence [UI], anal incontinence [AI] and pelvic organ prolapse [POP]) on exercise participation in women. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Australian, 18- to 65-year-old women with self-identified PF symptoms during exercise (current, past or fear of) were included. This survey included validated questionnaires: Questionnaire for female Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis, Incontinence Severity Index, Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and purpose-designed questions on the impact of PF symptoms on sport/exercise participation. Analysis utilised descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests for independence and t-tests were used to explore differences between groups. RESULTS: Of 4556 women, 46% stopped exercise they had previously participated in due to their PF symptoms. Urinary incontinence had the largest impact; 41% with UI, followed by 37% with POP and 26% with AI stopped at least one form of exercise. Forty-two percent of women who experienced symptoms in high-impact sports stopped participation (versus low-impact: 21%). Sports commonly ceased included volleyball (63%), racquet-sports (57%) and basketball (54%). Exercise cessation was reported amongst younger (18-25 years: 35%) and nulliparous women (31%). Common exercise modifications included lowering the intensity (58%) or frequency (34%) of participation or changing to a low-impact form of sport/exercise (45%). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic floor symptoms stop women of all ages and levels of participation from exercising. High-impact sports were most affected but low-impact sports were also ceased. Symptomatic women also modify exercise to less vigorous/frequent participation, which may place them at risk of physical inactivity, and chronic illness.
OBJECTIVES: To establish the impact of pelvic floor (PF) symptoms (urinary incontinence [UI], anal incontinence [AI] and pelvic organ prolapse [POP]) on exercise participation in women. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Australian, 18- to 65-year-old women with self-identified PF symptoms during exercise (current, past or fear of) were included. This survey included validated questionnaires: Questionnaire for female Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis, Incontinence Severity Index, Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and purpose-designed questions on the impact of PF symptoms on sport/exercise participation. Analysis utilised descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests for independence and t-tests were used to explore differences between groups. RESULTS: Of 4556 women, 46% stopped exercise they had previously participated in due to their PF symptoms. Urinary incontinence had the largest impact; 41% with UI, followed by 37% with POP and 26% with AI stopped at least one form of exercise. Forty-two percent of women who experienced symptoms in high-impact sports stopped participation (versus low-impact: 21%). Sports commonly ceased included volleyball (63%), racquet-sports (57%) and basketball (54%). Exercise cessation was reported amongst younger (18-25 years: 35%) and nulliparous women (31%). Common exercise modifications included lowering the intensity (58%) or frequency (34%) of participation or changing to a low-impact form of sport/exercise (45%). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic floor symptoms stop women of all ages and levels of participation from exercising. High-impact sports were most affected but low-impact sports were also ceased. Symptomatic women also modify exercise to less vigorous/frequent participation, which may place them at risk of physical inactivity, and chronic illness.