Scaling the Heights: Rates of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Female Rock-Climbing Enthusiasts.

Abstract

Introduction: Rock climbing has recently gained popularity, particularly among females. There are no current studies evaluating pelvic floor dysfunction among female climbers. This cross-sectional study seeks to investigate the prevalence of incontinence and pelvic floor disorders among female rock climbers in the United States.

Methods: This study utilized an online survey distributed via social media platforms to assess the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders. Participants were queried about demographic information, climbing habits, pregnancy history, and pelvic floor symptoms. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and inferential analysis where applicable.

Results: A total of 343 participants completed the study, with a median age of 34 years, lean body mass, and the majority identifying as White or Caucasian. The most common pelvic floor disorder was overactive bladder (n = 314, 91.5%), and the least common was pelvic organ prolapse (n = 6, 1.7%). Rope climbers were significantly more bothered by pelvic organ prolapse and anal incontinence symptoms than boulderers (4, p < .01 and 1.44, p < .01, respectively). Parous climbers reported significantly higher bothersome symptoms of OAB and SUI (1.43, p = .01 and 2.71, p < .01, respectively) than their nulliparous counterparts.

Conclusions: Although rock climbing represents a relatively low-impact sport and our sample was largely comprised of young, healthy, nulliparous women, female rock climbers demonstrated higher rates of pelvic floor disorders than a normative population, with rope climbers at higher risk than boulderers. Clinicians should be aware of the need for more frequent pelvic floor disorder screening in active women.