Evaluation of the quality of life and the incidence of stress urinary incontinence in nulliparous women training selected sports: a cross-sectional survey pilot study

Introduction The number of women suffering from urinary incontinence is increasing every year. The most common type of this condition is stress urinary incontinence. Involuntary leakage of urine occurs when sneezing, coughing, laughing, and standing up, as well as during physical activity. The problem of urinary incontinence is very embarrassing for athletes and affects their sports performance. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of urinary incontinence symptoms in women regularly training in selected sports. Methods 64 women athletes were selected for the study. This pilot study involved women training in athletics (short-distance running, long-distance running, hurdles and jumping (high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault), basketball, volleyball, or strength sports). Women were selected based on sample size calculation from those training in specified clubs. Women who had given birth were excluded from the study. The subjects completed a proprietary questionnaire consisting of 8 questions. They also completed the Urinary Distress Inventory, Short Form (UDI-6SF) questionnaire and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form (IIQ-7). Results In this study, 43% of women who trained had symptoms of urinary incontinence. Regression analysis results with UDI-6SF and IIQ-7 total scores as dependent variables and age as an independent variable showed that the slopes of regression were not statistically significantly different (<i>p</i>-value > 0.05). The results of the analysis of the correlation between SUI (stress urinary incontinence) and age (<i>p</i> = 0.0247) and practiced sport (<i>p</i> = 0.0476) turned out to be statistically significant. Conclusions The type of sport practiced affects the occurrence of UI (urinary incontinence) symptoms in women. In this study, female athletes practicing strength sports had the greatest predisposition to the occurrence of UI symptoms. The occurrence of UI symptoms has little impact on the deterioration of the quality of life among women practicing selected sports.