EVALUATION OF ATHLETES' PELVIC FLOOR: IS THERE A RELATION WITH URINARY INCONTINENCE?

Introduction: The female pelvic floor is formed by a set of muscles, fasciae, and ligaments that sustain pelvic organs (bladder, anus and vagina). Dysfunction of these structures, due to aging and childbirth may lead to urinary incontinence. However, we still do not know if high intensity exercises can damage this musculoaponevrotic set, leading to urinary incontinence. Objective: To compare the ability of contraction of pelvic floor muscles among sedentary women and elite athletes, and verify if there is an association with the occurrence of urinary incontinence during physical activity. Methods: Case-control study that included 93 women (49 athletes and 44 sedentary) invited to respond to the questionnaire "International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form" and carry out functional evaluation of the pelvic floor. The athletes (case group) were practitioners of long distance running, basketball and Olympic gymnastics. Sedentary women (control group) performed less than 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous activities weekly. Contraction pressure was measured by a digital precision perineometer. Results: The groups were homogeneous as to age and body mass index. The athletes showed higher maximal vaginal pressure values (70.1 +/- 2.4 cmH(2)O) compared to sedentary women (34.3 +/- 1.7 cmH(2)O), (p < 0.001). Athletes practitioners of basketball had the highest values of maximum vaginal pressure (77.2 cmH(2)O) compared to gymnasts (65.5 cmH(2)O) and runners (65.4 cmH(2)O). The prevalence of urinary incontinence in female athletes was of 76% and only 16% in sedentary women (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Although the ability to contract the pelvic floor in elite athletes is higher when compared with sedentary women, the prevalence of urinary incontinence is high in this group of practitioners of high performance and high impact sport.