Abstract
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to monitor the prevalence of symptoms of stress (SUI) and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) in sportswomen performing high-impact exercises. A further objective was to compare the symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI) and quality of life in sportswomen.
We used the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ-SF), the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short version. The group consisted of 503 sportswomen with a mean age of 21.1 +/- 3.6.
The response rate was 71.15 %. ICIQ-SF results confirmed mild difficulties with urine leakage in 72 (14.3 %) sportswomen.
Urinary leakage was not noted in 431 (85.7 %) sportswomen. The OAB-q and I-QOL showed a significant difference, with pronounced symptoms of UUI and worse QOL in the group of sportswomen with urine leakage (p < 0.000).
The I-QOL recorded significantly worse parameters in the group of sportswomen with urine leakage (p < 0.000). Prevalence of SUI was found in 68 (13.52 %), and MUI was found in 4 (0.80 %) sportswomen.
Every seventh sportswoman (14.3 %) in the study group had reported problems with UI when practising high-impact sporting activities, with a negative impact on QOL.