Urinary dysfunction in women practicing physical activity in academies – a cross-sectional study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: According to the International Continence Society (ICS), the Urinary Incontinence of Effort (UIE) is the most common cause of involuntary loss of urine, which has as a risk factor the practice of physical and sports activity in women. OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence of UIE in women with regular practice of physical activity in academies. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, carried out in two private academies in the city of Belém do Pará, in women practicing regular physical activity, aged between 25 and 55 years; women with cognitive impairment, diabetes mellitus, and neurological problems were excluded. A standard questionnaire and the Protection, Amount, Frequency, Adjustment and Body image (PRAFAB) were applied. The variables were analyzed by Fisher's Exact and Mann-Whitney tests (p <0.05). CAAE 61681416.4.0000.5173. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 56 women, of whom 7 (12%) reported recent loss of urine. The incontinent women were bodybuilders (100%) and the majority (71%) associated this practice with aerobic exercises. The occurrences were reported on average 5 times per week (85%) and during the exercises (57%). There was no statistical difference in the comparison of the variables between continents and incontinent women (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of UI in women who performed aerobic exercises and bodybuilding in gymnasiums was low (12%), with moderate to severe severity and no association with age, modality, practical time, shift and exercise frequency.