Stress urinary incontinence in young women exercising in the gym – preliminary study

Introduction: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is considered one of the most important health problems in the 21 st century, related to the activity of the pelvic floor muscles. The aim of the study was to conduct a preliminary survey estimating knowledge level of young active women about SUI and their preparation for undertaking physical activity affecting the pelvic floor muscles. Material and methods: A study was conducted in a group 107 of women aged 20-25 years, in several Krakow gyms. A proprietary questionnaire was used, consisting of 12 questions about physical activity during gym workout sessions, knowledge of pelvic floor exercises, and a possible urinary incontinence problem during sports activities. Results: Sixty-nine per cent of the participants had never experienced an episode of SUI, 21% of the respondents were unable to state whether they had experienced such an episode, while as many as 9% answered that they had experienced them. Most of the analysed group regularly doing a workout at the gym; 94 young women confirmed that they knew or had heard about exercises strengthening pelvic floor muscles, but only four of them remembered to practice them during gym workouts. Only two women were encouraged to perform these exercises by their fitness instructor. Conclusions: SUI is an important but underestimated problem among physically active women. Although young women experience SUI, they do not include pelvic floor muscle exercises in their training routine. It is necessary to educate women but also to raise awareness of incontinence among trainers and physiotherapists who work with them.