Prevalence and factors associated with urinary incontinence in female crossfitters: A cross-sectional study

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with urinary incontinence (UI) in female crossfitters.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using assessment forms: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice survey for young female athletes; Incontinence Severity Index; and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for UI. Descriptive analysis was conducted to obtain absolute and relative frequencies, means and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Multivariate analysis was carried out to determine the association between UI and sociodemographic, gynecological-obstetric, and anthropometric variables, associated morbidities, previous history and physical activity.

Results: Prevalence of UI, in the 189 included volunteers, was 38.6% and the most frequent type was stress UI (69.9%). A total of 72.6% of incontinent women reported urine loss during CrossFit training. Knowledge (53.4%) and attitude (86.2%) regarding UI were generally adequate, while prevention, management and treatment were inadequate (96.3%). The predominant characteristics of UI were frequency of once a week or less (74.0%), in small amounts (86.3%), mild intensity (57.5%) and slight impact on quality of life (64.3%). In multivariate analysis, no variable was significantly associated with UI.

Conclusions: The prevalence of UI in female crossfitters was 38.6%. The factors investigated did not contribute to the development of UI.