Prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in gymnasts undergoing high-impact training

Abstract

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common among women who exercise, the most common among active women being stress urinary incontinence (SUI), but no studies have been found in Mexican gymnasts. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of this condition in gymnasts from the city of Chihuahua. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that included gymnasts of 3 different modalities (Artistic, Trampoline, Aerobic), taking into account those who compete at national and regional level. All clubs belonging to the Chihuahua gymnastics association were invited to participate; we only obtained a response from 4 sports clubs, of which 29 gymnasts between 13 and 22 years of age agreed to participate. UI was evaluated by means of the abbreviated form of the urinary incontinence questionnaire (ICIQ- SF) by means of digital questionnaires, as well as history. SUI was found in 65% of the gymnasts, it showed a relationship with the number of years the gymnast had been practicing the sport, 52% of these gymnasts reported suffering it once a week and 84% mentioned losing only a very small amount. During competitions, 57.7% suffered leaks, but only a small amount. In conclusion, we suggest that cumulative training time can lead to UI regardless of its intensity. In spite of being a common problem, it is unknown to most of the athletes and above all there is no awareness that there is a solution to this problem.