Pelvic floor disorders among amateur runners.
Arch Gynecol Obstet
; 309(5): 2223-2228, 2024 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38341841
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Sports and physical activity are known risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). The aim of this study is to examine the impact of amateur running on PFD, quality of life (QoL), and sexual function.METHODS:
Amateur runners were contacted through social media. Their PFD, sexual function, and QoL were evaluated by self-reporting validated questionnaires (PFDI-20, PISQ-12, IIQ-7). They were divided by degree of effort into two categories, 'High effort' and 'Moderate effort'. The differences between the two groups were examined by a Mann-Whitney U Test, T-Test, and Chi-square test.RESULTS:
180 women were included. A high incidence of PFD was found among 'High effort' runners in comparison to 'Moderate effort' runners. In addition, women who scored above the median in the PFDI-20 showed significantly greater impairment in QoL and sexual function. Interestingly, the 'High effort' group reported experiencing higher intensity orgasms compared with women in the 'Moderate effort' group. A correlation was also found between the weekly running distance and the intensity of orgasm experienced (P value = 0.004).CONCLUSION:
'High effort' runners present a higher incidence of PFD in comparison to 'Moderate effort' runners. Professional pelvic floor muscle training counselling should be considered even for amateur runners. Future interventional physical therapy studies should be carried out in order to investigate preventative strategies.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
/
Pelvic Floor Disorders
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Arch Gynecol Obstet
Journal subject:
GINECOLOGIA
/
OBSTETRICIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Israel