Incontinence during sports and fitness activities

Abstract

Pelvic floor disorders are widely regarded as problems affecting older, postmenopausal, multiparous women. Many do not realize that it is also a significant problem for female exercisers of all ages. The prevalence of urinary stress incontinence in young female athletes and women who exercise ranges from 8% to 47%.1-6 Physically active women are more likely than sedentary women to experience incontinence,3 and the problem is most common in high-impact sports. Because stress incontinence occurs during physical exertion, this condition represents a major problem for females participating in fitness or sports activities. © 2008 Springer-Verlag London.