Athletic incontinence

A man urinating while cycling in the 1989 Race Across America

Athletic incontinence (athletic leakage, athletic leaks, exercise-induced urinary incontinence) is the specific form of urinary incontinence that results from engaging in high-impact or strenuous activities. Unlike stress incontinence, which is defined as the loss of small amounts of urine associated with sneezing, laughing or exercising, athletic incontinence occurs exclusively during exercise.[1] Athletic incontinence is generally thought to be the result of decreased structural support of the pelvic floor due to increased abdominal pressure during high-impact exercise. As such exercises that build and develop the pelvic floor may be an important step to counteracting athletic incontinence.[2] In addition to high-impact exercise, this weakening can also stem from childbirth and age.[3]

Prevalence

Studies have shown that 30%-40% of all women deal with athletic incontinence, with some studies reporting up to 69% of women as sufferers.[1][3][4] Athletes in high impact sports such as gymnastics and basketball are likely to suffer from incontinence, with over 60% of subjects in each sport reporting they suffer from athletic leaks during activity.[5]

Rarely do sufferers of athletic incontinence seek treatment, with one study showing that over 95% of subjects had not sought professional advice on their condition.[6] Those who participated in the study claimed they didn’t seek help because they were embarrassed or thought it was a normal condition.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Barten, Kelly (December 21, 2009). "Exercise-induced urinary incontinence (leaking urine while running) - it's more common than you think, and treatable". http://blog.oregonlive.com/. Retrieved January 2, 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  2. ↑ Bø, K (2004). "Urinary incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, exercise and sport.". Sports Medicine 34 (7): 451–64. doi:10.2165/00007256-200434070-00004. PMID 15233598. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 Robbins, Laura (December 21, 2009). "Stress Urinary Incontinence in the Female Athlete". http://blog.oregonlive.com/. Retrieved January 2, 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  4. ↑ Krucoff, Carol (August 30, 1999). "Fitness : The Bane of Female Athletes Too, Incontinence Can Be Treated". Los Angeles Times.
  5. ↑ Nygaard IE, Thompson FL, Svengalis SL, Albright JP (September 1994). "Urinary incontinence in elite nulliparous athletes". Obstet Gynecol 84 (3): 183–7. PMID 8041527.
  6. ↑ Phillips, Allan (January 17, 2013). "Pelvic Floor Dysfuction, Urinary Incontinence, and Female Athletes". http://www.pikeathletics.com. Retrieved January 2, 2014. External link in |website= (help)
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