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- Title
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Female Functional Fitness Exercisers -- An Assessor-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.
- Authors
Lindquist Skaug, Kristina; Bø, Kari; Engh, Marie Ellström
- Abstract
Introduction: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is common among females during functional fitness training, such as CrossFit©.1 Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) has been proven effective in treating SUI in the general female population, but there is limited knowledge of the effect of PFMT among female strenuous exercisers and athletes.2,3 Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of PFMT on SUI in female functional fitness exercisers. Methods: This was an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial with two arms: a PFMT group (n=22) and a control group (n=25). The PFMT group followed a 16-week home-training program including 3 sets of 8-12 maximum pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contractions daily and with weekly follow-up by phone. Primary outcome was change in the total score of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence -- Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF). Secondary outcomes were perceived change of symptoms of SUI, change of PFM strength (measured by vaginal manometry), and symptoms of anal incontinence (AI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Results: Forty-seven women, mean age 33.5 (SD: 8.1), participated in the study. At 16 weeks, there was a mean difference between groups of -1.4 (95% CI: -2.6 to -0.2) in change of the ICIQ-UI-SF score in favor of the PFMT group. The PFMT group completed in mean 70% (SD: 23) of the prescribed protocol. Sixty-four percent in the PFMT group vs. 8% in the control group reported improved symptoms of SUI (p < 0.001, Relative Risk: 7.96, 95% CI 2.03 to 31.19). There were no group differences in change of PFM strength or AI/POP symptoms. Conclusion: A 16-week home-training program of the PFM led to improvements of SUI among female functional fitness exercisers. However, PFM strength, AI and POP symptoms did not improve significantly in the PFMT group compared to the control group.
- Subjects
NORWAY; URINARY stress incontinence; KEGEL exercises; TREATMENT effectiveness; CONFERENCES &; conventions; PHYSICAL fitness; WOMEN'S health
- Publication
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 2024, Vol 19, Issue 6, p775
- ISSN
2159-2896
- Publication type
Article