Recreational exercisers to elite athletes can all be affected by pelvic floor disorders yet may not disclose symptoms [Image: nycshooter on iStock]
Sports physician Steve Targett discusses the importance of regular screening for pelvic floor disorders in exercising women and introduces a new screening tool
References
1. Dakic JG, Cook J, Hay-Smith J, et al. Pelvic floor disorders stop women exercising: A survey of 4556 symptomatic women. J Sci Med Sport 2021;24(12):1211–17.
2. Dakic JG, Hay-Smith EJC, Lin KY, et al. Women’s preferences for pelvic floor screening in sport and exercise: a mixed-methods study integrating survey and interview data in Australian women. Br J Sports Med 2023;57(24):1539–49.
3. Giagio S, Salvioli S, Innocenti T, et al. PFD-SENTINEL: Development of a screening tool for pelvic floor dysfunction in female athletes through an international Delphi consensus. Br J Sports Med 2023;57(14):899–905.
4. Forner LB, Beckman EM, Smith MD. Do women runners report more pelvic floor symptoms than women in CrossFit®? A cross-sectional survey. Int Urogynecol J 2021;32(2):295–302.
5. Woodley SJ, Lawrenson P, Boyle R, et al. Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing and treating urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020;5(5):CD007471.
6. Christopher SM, Donnelly G, Brockwell E, et al. Clinical and exercise professional opinion of return-to-running readiness after childbirth: an international Delphi study and consensus statement. Br J Sports Med 2023; 26 December online.
