The aim of this study was to systematize the scientific evidence that assessed the prevalence of urinary incontinence in female athletes and determine which modality is most predisposed to stress urinary incontinence. From September to December 2018, a systematic literature search of current interventional studies of stress urinary incontinence of the last ten years was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The methodological quality was assessed by the Downs and Black scale, while the data collected from the studies were analyzed through meta-analysis. Nine studies met the eligibility criteria, meaning they included reports of urinary incontinence in different sports. The meta-analysis showed 25.9% prevalence of urinary incontinence in female athletes in different sports, as well as 20.7% prevalence of stress urinary incontinence. The most prevalent high impact sport was volleyball, with the value of 75.6%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence can be high in female athletes, with high-impact sports potentially increasing the risk for stress urinary incontinence. Further research is needed regarding the potential risk factors related to the onset of urinary incontinence.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscles training in elite female volleyball athletes and whether it is an effective therapy for stress urinary incontinence. Fourteen athletes, both continent and incontinent, between 18 and 30 years of age, were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a protocol for pelvic floor muscle training for 4 months. This consisted of three phases: awareness/stabilization, strength training and power. The control group was not subject to any intervention during the same period. Measures were collected at the initial and final phase for both groups. Maximum voluntary contractions were evaluated with a perineometer, involuntary urine loss with a Pad test and quality of life with the King’s Health Questionnaire. Baseline sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics were not significantly different. Comparing the two groups, the experimental group improved maximum voluntary pelvic contractions (p<0.001) and reduced urine loss (p=0.025), indicating the existence of significant differences between groups in the variation from the initial and final phases. The percentage of urine loss decreased in the experimental group, from 71.4–42.9%, suggesting that the protocol intervention for 16 weeks may help athletes with stress urinary incontinence.

Inspiratory muscle fatigue may inhibit healthy athletes to achieve maximum performance, compromising blood flow and perfusion on locomotor muscles. Recent studies have showed irregular influence of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on resting lung function. It was hypothesized that a 4-week IMT protocol would improve pulmonary function of basketball players. Twenty-one female basketball players were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) (n = 11) or a control group (CG) (n = 10). Pre- and post-forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were assessed with spirometry in the beginning of the sport's season, at the first day of protocol and four weeks after. The EG (22.00 ± 5.00 years) was submitted to IMT using a threshold, 5 times a week, for a 4-week protocol (30 maximal repetitions (RM) against a pressure threshold load equivalent to 50% of maximal inspiratory pressure), while the CG (18.50 ± 5.75 years) was not subjected to any intervention during the same period. Baseline sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics were not significantly different with the exception of age (p = 0.036). No significant differences were found in baseline pulmonary volumes (0.173 ≤ p ≤ 0.848) neither in predicted pulmonary variables (0.223 ≤ p ≤ 0.654). Significant increase on FEV1, FVC and PEF was found in the EG post-protocol (p < 0.001). In the CG, an improvement of PEF was found (p = 0.042). This type of specific inspiratory training appears to improve pulmonary function. Results suggest that the applied IMT protocol is effective. Further research is needed to assess the sustainability of the findings and to conclude the short and long term effects of IMT on basketball players.

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any involuntary urine loss that predominantly affects older women. There is evidence that pelvic floor muscles training (PFMT) program is effective on the treatment of pelvic floor (PF) dysfunctions and is considered to be first-line treatment. The evaluation of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) function and strength is central to validate the effectiveness of the training protocol in UI decrease. The Oxford Grading Scale and manometry are fundamental to evaluate the PFM function and strength. Objective: The aim of the study was to systematize the scientific evidence about the effects of PFMT in older women, assessing the PF function and strength through Oxford Grading Scale and manometry. Methods: The research of randomized controlled clinical trials was performed through B-on, EBSCO, PEDro, Pubmed, and SciELO data carried out from 2003 to 2016. Results: A total of 35 studies were identified, 26 of these were selected and fully analyzed. From the analyzed studies (n = 26), 20 were excluded for not meeting the criteria for inclusion, and only 6 studies were classified as high methodological quality, scoring an overall 4 points according the PEDro scale. Conclusion: The PFMT seems to be effective in treating UI in older women; the Oxford Grading Scale and manometry are considered the most reliable in the random and controlled clinical trials results. However, future investigations with high methodological quality with older women are necessary to support these results.