Female athletes have significantly higher prevalence rates of SUI than their non-exercising peers. While exercise appears to be protective against many other disease conditions, it may be linked to the development of SUI in an otherwise healthy population. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of sports characteristics on SUI in nulliparous female collegiate athletes. A non-experimental study using a cross-sectional design in the form of an online survey explored whether the prevalence of SUI in nulliparous collegiate athletic women was related to the impact and intensity of the sport, training volume, and athlete demographic and training characteristics. Two hundred and nine female nulliparous athletes at Division II universities participated in the study.
Nonparametric testing revealed athletes participating in high impact sports demonstrated greater SUI rates and severity than low and moderate impact sports (p=.03). Other variables associated with an increase in SUI were participation in vigorous physical activity >5days/week (p=.037), and a BMI>25 (p=.05). Athletes with a high BMI or those engaging in high intensity and high impact activity most days of the week have a greater need for pelvic floor muscle training, to strengthen and maintain pelvic floor muscle function to prevent SUI. Efforts are needed for education and early prevention to mitigate development of SUI in this population.