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Pelvic floor function in elite nulliparous athletes.

J A Kruger1, H P Dietz, B A Murphy

  • 1Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. j.kruger@auckland.ac.nz

Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology : the Official Journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
|May 15, 2007
PubMed
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High-impact, frequent intense training (HIFIT) athletes exhibit altered pelvic floor anatomy and function, including increased muscle diameter and organ descent. Further research is needed to understand the implications for continence and childbirth.

Area of Science:

  • Pelvic floor imaging and biomechanics
  • Sports medicine and female athlete health
  • Urogynecology and pelvic floor disorders

Background:

  • Preliminary evidence links high-impact exercise to potential pelvic floor dysfunction.
  • High-intensity, frequent training (HIFIT) athletes may have altered levator ani muscle size.
  • Pelvic floor function is crucial for continence and labor, but its alteration in athletes is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize pelvic floor muscle function and organ descent in nulliparous HIFIT athletes.
  • To compare pelvic floor parameters between HIFIT athletes and age/BMI-matched non-athletic controls.
  • To utilize 3D/4D pelvic floor ultrasound for detailed anatomical and functional assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective comparative study involving 46 nulliparous female volunteers (24 HIFIT, 22 controls).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Translabial ultrasound (2D and 3D) assessed pelvic floor anatomy and function in a voided, supine state.
  • Pelvic organ descent evaluated during Valsalva maneuver; muscle function assessed at rest, during contraction, and Valsalva.

    • Main Results:

    • HIFIT athletes demonstrated a significantly larger pubovisceral muscle diameter (0.96 cm vs. 0.70 cm).
    • Greater bladder neck descent (22.7 mm vs. 15.1 mm) and hiatal area during Valsalva (21.53 cm² vs. 14.91 cm²) were observed in HIFIT athletes.
    • No significant differences in hiatal area were found at rest or during maximal voluntary contraction.

    Conclusions:

    • HIFIT athletes exhibit significant differences in pelvic floor anatomy and function compared to controls.
    • Altered pelvic floor parameters in HIFIT athletes warrant further investigation.
    • The impact of these functional changes on childbirth and continence requires additional research.