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Sade S, Naor I, Rotem R, Waichenberg L, Kravits DZ, Weintraub AY. Pelvic floor disorders among amateur runners. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:2223-2228. [PMID: 38341841 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07351-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanny Sade
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 151, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
| | - Inbar Naor
- Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Reut Rotem
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Affiliated with the Hebrew University Medical School of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lauren Waichenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 151, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Dana Zilberman Kravits
- Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Adi Y Weintraub
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 151, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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The association between amateur running with varying degrees of effort and sexual function among women. Int Urogynecol J 2022; 33:1659-1665. [PMID: 35412070 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05197-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS Sports and physical activity are known risk factors for altered pelvic floor function, which may affect sexual activity. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of amateur running on sexual function. METHODS Amateur runners were contacted through social media. Their pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), sexual function and quality of life were evaluated by self-reported validated questionnaires (PFDI-20, PISQ-12, IIQ-7). They were divided by degrees of effort into 'High effort' and 'Moderate effort.' The differences between the two groups were examined by Mann-Whitney U, t and chi-square tests. RESULTS One hundred eighty amateur runners were included. No significant differences in the sexual function were found between the two groups. The 'High effort' group reported experiencing higher intensity orgasms compared with women in the 'Moderate effort' group, and a correlation was found between the weekly running distance and intensity of orgasm that they experienced (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS High effort physical activity may be associated with improved orgasm, which may be explained by better clitoral circulation and better function of the pelvic floor muscles. Clinicians that treat symptoms related to PFD and sexual dysfunction may raise awareness of the advantages of physical activity and pelvic floor muscle training and rehabilitation, which may improve tone and circulation and hence sexual function.
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Kim MM, Ladi-Seyedian SS, Ginsberg DA, Kreydin EI. The Association of Physical Activity and Urinary Incontinence in US Women: Results from a Multi-Year National Survey. Urology 2021; 159:72-77. [PMID: 34644590 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2021.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relationships between physical activity, both work and recreational, and urinary incontinence among women. METHODS We assessed women aged 20 years and older in 2008-2018 NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) cycles who answered self-reported urinary incontinence and physical activity questions. Weighted, multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the association between incontinence and physical activity levels after adjusting for age, body mass index, diabetes, race, parity, menopause and smoking. RESULTS A total of 30,213 women were included in analysis, of whom 23.15% had stress incontinence, 23.16% had urge incontinence, and 8.42% had mixed incontinence (answered "yes" to both stress and urge incontinence). Women who engaged in moderate recreational activity were less likely to report stress and urge incontinence (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.62-0.99 and OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48-0.90, respectively). Similarly, women who engaged in moderate activity work were less likely to report stress, urge and mixed incontinence (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-0.99; OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.99; and OR 0.66 95% CI 0.45-0.97, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Moderate physical activity and greater time spent participating in moderate physical activity are associated with a decreased likelihood of stress, urge and mixed incontinence in women. This relationship holds for both recreational and work-related activity. We hypothesize that the mechanism of this relationship is multifactorial, with moderate physical activity improving pelvic floor strength and modifying neurophysiological mediators (such as stress) involved in the pathogenesis of incontinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Kim
- Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - David A Ginsberg
- Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Evgeniy I Kreydin
- Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
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Gümüşsoy S, Öztürk R, Kavlak O, Hortu İ, Yeniel AÖ. Investigating Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Women of Reproductive Age and Factors Affecting It. Clin Nurs Res 2021; 30:1047-1058. [PMID: 33719590 DOI: 10.1177/10547738211000350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This descriptive study was designed to investigate the pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) of women aged 18 to 49 years and to examine the factors that may have an effect on PFMS. The study was conducted on 258 women who visited a gynecology outpatient clinic between January 2019 and January 2020, who met the research criteria, and who agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Information Form. The Modified Oxford Scale (MOS) and a perineometer were used to evaluate the PFMS of the women. The mean PFMS value measured using the perineometer was 31.56 ± 12.17 cmH2O (moderate pressure). The PFMS values were 20.00 to 29.9 cmH2O (weak pressure) and 30.00 to 39.9 cmH2O (moderate pressure) in 23.6% of the women, respectively. The PFMS values measured with MOS were of grade 3 strength (moderate pressure) in 23.6% of the women and grade 2 strength (weak pressure) in 23.3%. A statistically significant strong correlation was found between the perineometer measurement and the women's MOS values. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the PFMS values measured with the perineometer, MOS scores, and women's age groups, educational status, marital status, employment status, income status, persistent cough, use of nicotine, alcohol and coffee consumptions, chronic constipation, history of frequent urinary tract infections, regular exercise, body mass index, history of pregnancy, mode of delivery, use of episiotomy at birth, perineal rupture at birth, use of forceps vacuum at birth, multiple pregnancies, delivery of a baby weighing ≥4,000 g, treatment during pregnancy, hysterectomy, menopause, frequency of sexual intercourse, and pain during sexual intercourse (p < .05). We conclude that most of the women in the study had weak to moderate PFMS, that the evaluation of PFMS with the MOS positively overlapped with the perineometric measurements, and that a number of sociodemographic and obstetric variables act as risk factors that affect PFMS. The PFMS of all women should be assessed as part of their routine gynecological examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Süreyya Gümüşsoy
- Ege University Atatürk Health Care Vocational School, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ruşen Öztürk
- Ege University Faculty of Nursing, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Oya Kavlak
- Ege University Faculty of Nursing, Izmir, Turkey
| | - İsmet Hortu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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Moss W, Shaw JM, Yang M, Sheng X, Hitchcock R, Niederauer S, Packer D, Nygaard IE. The Association Between Pelvic Floor Muscle Force and General Strength and Fitness in Postpartum Women. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2020; 26:351-357. [PMID: 30921083 PMCID: PMC6764904 DOI: 10.1097/spv.0000000000000718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine whether measures of muscular strength and fitness are associated with pelvic floor muscle (PFM) force 1-year postpartum in a population of primiparous women who delivered vaginally. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis is an ancillary study to an ongoing prospective cohort study and includes 203 primiparous women. Procedures collected 1-year postpartum included maximal PFM force, grip strength, trunk flexor muscle endurance, percent body fat, intra-abdominal pressure during trunk flexor endurance testing, intra-abdominal pressure during strain, and self-reported physical activity. RESULTS The mean (SD) age was 29.8 (5.0) years and the mean (SD) body mass index was 24.5 (5.2) kg/m. Nineteen percent were of Hispanic ethnicity. The median (interquartile range) PFM force was 5.05 (2.86-7.94) N. The median (interquartile range) trunk flexor endurance time was 146.0 (78.0-267.0), whereas the mean (SD) grip strength and percent fat were 32.4 (6.4) kg and 29.4% (10.0), respectively.There were no statistically significant associations between PFM force and any of the measures tested on analyses unadjusted or adjusted for self-report of doing PFM exercises. Of other factors evaluated, non-Hispanic ethnicity, increasing age, self-reported family history of pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence, and normal and obese body mass index (both compared with overweight) were associated with lower PFM force. CONCLUSIONS In primiparous women 1-year postpartum, we found no associations between PFM force and measures of strength and fitness. This study's results are consistent with existing literature that specific, targeted, and consistent pelvic floor exercises are the best way to improve PFM strength.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janet M. Shaw
- Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation, University of Utah, College of Health,
| | - Meng Yang
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT,
| | - Xiaoming Sheng
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT,
| | - Robert Hitchcock
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT,
| | | | - Diane Packer
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Utah College of Health,
| | - Ingrid E. Nygaard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine,
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Abstract
More women participate in sports than ever before and the proportion of women athletes at the Olympic Games is nearly 50%. The pelvic floor in women may be the only area of the body where the positive effect of physical activity has been questioned. The aim of this narrative review is to present two widely held opposing hypotheses on the effect of general exercise on the pelvic floor and to discuss the evidence for each. Hypothesis 1: by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and decreasing the levator hiatus, exercise decreases the risk of urinary incontinence, anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, but negatively affects the ease and safety of childbirth. Hypothesis 2: by overloading and stretching the PFM, exercise not only increases the risk of these disorders, but also makes labor and childbirth easier, as the PFM do not obstruct the exit of the fetus. Key findings of this review endorse aspects of both hypotheses. Exercising women generally have similar or stronger PFM strength and larger levator ani muscles than non-exercising women, but this does not seem to have a greater risk of obstructed labor or childbirth. Additionally, women that specifically train their PFM while pregnant are not more likely to have outcomes associated with obstructed labor. Mild-to-moderate physical activity, such as walking, decreases the risk of urinary incontinence but female athletes are about three times more likely to have urinary incontinence compared to controls. There is some evidence that strenuous exercise may cause and worsen pelvic organ prolapse, but data are inconsistent. Both intra-abdominal pressure associated with exercise and PFM strength vary between activities and between women; thus the threshold for optimal or negative effects on the pelvic floor almost certainly differs from person to person. Our review highlights many knowledge gaps that need to be understood to understand the full effects of strenuous and non-strenuous activities on pelvic floor health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Bø
- Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, PB 4014, Ullevål Stadion, 0806, Oslo, Norway.
- Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
| | - Ingrid Elisabeth Nygaard
- Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
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Lopes IP, Ribeiro VB, Reis RM, Silva RC, Dutra de Souza HC, Kogure GS, Ferriani RA, Silva Lara LAD. Comparison of the Effect of Intermittent and Continuous Aerobic Physical Training on Sexual Function of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sex Med 2018; 15:1609-1619. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Bø K, Ellstrøm Engh M, Hilde G. Regular exercisers have stronger pelvic floor muscles than nonregular exercisers at midpregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018; 218:427.e1-427.e5. [PMID: 29288068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Today all healthy pregnant women are encouraged to be physically active throughout pregnancy, with recommendations to participate in at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity on most days of the week in addition to performing strength training of the major muscle groups 2-3 days per week and also pelvic floor muscle training. There is, however, an ongoing debate whether general physical activity enhances or declines pelvic floor muscle function. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the study were to compare vaginal resting pressure, pelvic floor muscle strength, and endurance in regular exercisers (exercise ≥30 minutes 3 or more times per week) and nonexercisers at midpregnancy. Furthermore, another objective was to assess whether regular general exercise or pelvic floor muscle strength was associated with urinary incontinence. STUDY DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study at mean gestational week 20.9 (±1.4) including 218 nulliparous pregnant women, with a mean age of 28.6 years (range, 19-40 years) and prepregnancy body mass index of 23.9 kg/m2 (SD, 4.0). Vaginal resting pressure, pelvic floor muscle strength, and pelvic floor muscle endurance were measured by a high-precision pressure transducer connected to a vaginal balloon. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form was used to assess urinary incontinence. Differences between groups were analyzed using an independent-sample Student t test. Linear regression analysis was conducted to adjust for prepregnancy body mass index, age, smoking during pregnancy, and regular pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy. The significance value was set to P ≤ .05. RESULTS Regular exercisers had statistically significant stronger (mean 6.4 cm H2O [95% confidence interval, 1.7-11.2]) and more enduring (mean 39.9 cm H2Osec [95% confidence interval, 42.2-75.7]) pelvic floor muscles. Only pelvic floor muscle strength remained statistically significant, when adjusting for possible confounders. Pelvic floor muscle strength and not regular general exercise was associated with urinary continence (adjusted B, -6.4 [95% confidence interval, -11.5 to -1.4]). CONCLUSION Regular exercisers at midpregnancy have stronger pelvic floor muscles than their sedentary counterparts. However, pelvic floor muscle strength and not regular general exercise was associated with urinary incontinence. There is a need for additional studies in elite athletes and women performing more strenuous exercise regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Bø
- Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
| | - Marie Ellstrøm Engh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, and Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunvor Hilde
- Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
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