Is physical activity influenced by urinary incontinence?

To evaluate physical activity among urinary incontinent women seeking treatment and to assess the change of physical activity after treatment.

Part of a prospective observational intervention study to examine the factors influencing the severity of urinary incontinence.

Tampere University Hospital-referral unit.

Eighty-two urinary incontinent women were evaluated in the baseline and 69 (84%) one year (mean 13 months, range 6-21) after treatment.

Physical activity was measured by self-report questionnaire and electronic motion sensor: Caltrac accelerometer worn by women for one week. The diagnosis and severity of urinary incontinence was estimated on the basis of urodynamics, pad test, diary and incontinence-specific quality of life measures. Treatment outcome was assessed according to objective parameters and patients satisfaction.

Physical activity at work, leisure and sport expressed in MET (metabolic unit) and kilocalories, change in physical activity after treatment.

Twenty-one (25.6%) of all women reported exercise of more than three times per week. Incontinent women with the highest leisure time activity > or =6 MET (n= 23, above 75th centile) were younger; they had less body mass index and greater urine leakage than others. One year after treatment, there was no change in any parameters of physical activities. Also exercise habits among women who were completely dry (n= 37) after treatment were not changed.

Urinary incontinent women who seek treatment are as physically active as the normal population. Even after successful incontinence treatment, exercise habits do not change.