TY - JOUR
T1 - Urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters
AU - Wikander, Lolita
AU - Kirshbaum, Marilynne N
AU - Waheed, Nasreena
AU - Gahreman, Daniel
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors thank all the intermediates who assisted with circulating the questionnaire for this study. The authors also thank Donelle Cross for her work on the original pilot survey and assistance with editing the document. The results do not constitute endorsement by NSCA. There are no competing interests for any author. This study was funded by a regional Charles Darwin University.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 NSCA National Strength and Conditioning Association. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022/11/1
Y1 - 2022/11/1
N2 - Wikander, L, Kirshbaum, MN, Waheed, N, and Gahreman, DE. Urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3130-3135, 2022-Urinary incontinence has the potential to diminish athletic performance and discourage women from participating in sport and exercise. This study determined the prevalence and possible risk factors for urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters. This research was a cross-sectional, survey-based study completed by 191 competitive women weightlifters. The frequency and severity of urinary incontinence was determined using the Incontinence Severity Index. Urinary incontinence was defined as an Incontinence Severity Index score >0. The survey questions focused on risk factors, the context and triggers for urinary incontinence, and self-care strategies. Approximately, 31.9% of subjects experienced urinary incontinence within 3 months of completing the survey. Incontinence Severity Index scores were significantly correlated with parity ( r = 0.283, p = 0.01) and age ( r = 0.216, p = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the Incontinence Severity Index score and the number of years participating in any form of resistance training ( r = -0.010, p = 0.886) or weightlifting ( r = -0.045, p = 0.534), body mass index ( r = 0.058, p = 0.422), or competition total ( r = -0.114, p = 0.115). The squat was the most likely exercise to provoke urinary incontinence. Although the number of repetitions, weight lifted, body position, and ground impact may increase the likelihood of urinary incontinence occurring during a lift, it is difficult to determine which factor has the greatest influence. Some self-care strategies used by competitive women weightlifters who experience urinary incontinence, such as training while dehydrated, have the potential to diminish athletic performance.
AB - Wikander, L, Kirshbaum, MN, Waheed, N, and Gahreman, DE. Urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3130-3135, 2022-Urinary incontinence has the potential to diminish athletic performance and discourage women from participating in sport and exercise. This study determined the prevalence and possible risk factors for urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters. This research was a cross-sectional, survey-based study completed by 191 competitive women weightlifters. The frequency and severity of urinary incontinence was determined using the Incontinence Severity Index. Urinary incontinence was defined as an Incontinence Severity Index score >0. The survey questions focused on risk factors, the context and triggers for urinary incontinence, and self-care strategies. Approximately, 31.9% of subjects experienced urinary incontinence within 3 months of completing the survey. Incontinence Severity Index scores were significantly correlated with parity ( r = 0.283, p = 0.01) and age ( r = 0.216, p = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the Incontinence Severity Index score and the number of years participating in any form of resistance training ( r = -0.010, p = 0.886) or weightlifting ( r = -0.045, p = 0.534), body mass index ( r = 0.058, p = 0.422), or competition total ( r = -0.114, p = 0.115). The squat was the most likely exercise to provoke urinary incontinence. Although the number of repetitions, weight lifted, body position, and ground impact may increase the likelihood of urinary incontinence occurring during a lift, it is difficult to determine which factor has the greatest influence. Some self-care strategies used by competitive women weightlifters who experience urinary incontinence, such as training while dehydrated, have the potential to diminish athletic performance.
KW - athletic incontinence
KW - pelvic floor strength
KW - resistance training
KW - Urinary incontinence
KW - Female
KW - Prevalence
KW - Pregnancy;
KW - Humans
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85133630060&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004052
DO - 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004052
M3 - Article
C2 - 34100787
AN - SCOPUS:85133630060
VL - 36
SP - 3130
EP - 3135
JO - Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
JF - Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
SN - 1064-8011
IS - 11
ER -