Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes: Prevalence, Mechanisms, Risk Factors and Management. A Narrative Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.72.74847

Keywords

urinary incontinence, female athletes, pelvic floor muscles, intra-abdominal pressure, stress urinary incontinence

Abstract

Background. While urinary incontinence (UI) frequently affects active women, it is markedly more prevalent among competitive athletes. Repeated impacts and heavy external loads elevate intra-abdominal pressure beyond the counter-force capacity of the pelvic floor. The condition remains systematically under-reported.
Aim. To synthesise evidence (2019–2026) on prevalence, mechanisms, risk factors, and management of UI in competitive female athletes.
Material and methods. A narrative review of observational studies and intervention trials in athletic populations indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. Data were synthesised thematically.
Results. Prevalence ranged from ~26% to >80%, varying by case definition. Leakage clustered during tasks generating steep pressure transients: landings, jumps, tackles, and heavy lifts. Age and parity were the most frequent correlates, though not in every cohort; years of training were not. Cumulative loading, rather than acute fatigue, was associated with symptom onset. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) reduced leakage without requiring gains in maximal strength, whereas a coach-delivered programme lacking professional guidance did not.
Conclusions. Athletic UI is highly prevalent, under-reported, yet modifiable. Routine screening and professionally guided PFMT are warranted.

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Quality in Sport

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2026-09-15

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1.
ŚCIEGLIŃSKA, Weronika, RADOLIŃSKA, Antonina, CZMIEL, Martyna, TARNAWSKA, Kamila, SZAREK, Bogumiła, SZAREK, Rafał, ANDRZEJEWICZ, Jakub and CHLIPAŁA, Monika. Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes: Prevalence, Mechanisms, Risk Factors and Management. A Narrative Review. Quality in Sport. Online. 15 September 2026. Vol. 72, p. 74847. [Accessed 17 September 2026]. DOI 10.12775/QS.2026.72.74847.

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Vol. 72 (2026)

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Medical Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2026 Weronika Ścieglińska, Antonina Radolińska, Martyna Czmiel, Kamila Tarnawska, Bogumiła Szarek, Rafał Szarek, Jakub Andrzejewicz, Monika Chlipała

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