Symptoms of lower urinary tract in women who practice physical exercise regularly.

Abstract

Introduction: The practice of regular physical exercise provides benefits to health and quality of life. However, these
are seen as promoters of dysfunctions of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). Objective: To evaluate the physical activity
level and the presence of urinary symptoms in women who perform exercise regularly and check the relation between
then. Method: Forty-seven women who practice regularly physical exercise were evaluated in two gyms in the State of
São Paulo/Brazil. The participants were characterized in accordance with the age, number of pregnancies, parity, body
mass index, waist circumference, duration of physical exercise, weekly frequency of exercise and time spent in physical
exercise. The level of physical activity was assessed by the “International Physical Activity Questionnaire” (IPAQ) long
form, and the presence of urinary symptoms and their severity were assessed by the International Consultation on
Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results: Approximately 51.9% of women were considered active
(greater than 600 METs value) and 49.1% were considered highly active (more than 1500’s MET value). It was observed
the presence UI in 72.3% of study participants. Approximately 52% of women showed a moderate UI according to the
ICIQ-SF. Conclusion: Women were considered active or very active according to the recommendations of the IPAQ. It
was observed a high prevalence of urinary symptoms in women on efforts in women who perform any physical activity
regulary. The severity of the incontinence was classified as moderate according the ICIQ-SF. No significant relation it
was observed between the severity of the UI and the level of physical activity.