Triathletes and Urinary Incontinence: An Investigation of Prevalence and Associated Factors

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) among Brazilian female triathletes and to identify associated factors, focusing on demographic, obstetric, and sports-related variables.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 90 female triathletes. Data on age, body mass index (BMI), pregnancy history, parity, delivery type, training frequency, and weekly training volume were collected through in-person interviews and an online questionnaire. UI severity was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with UI severity, and multinomial logistic regression examined associations between training volume and UI type.

The prevalence of UI was 43.3%. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was the most common type (25.6%). A greater number of deliveries was associated with increased UI severity (OR = 1.577; 95% CI: 1.047-2.374), while higher training frequency was protective against UI (OR = 0.761; 95% CI: 0.607-0.954). Increased running volume was associated with greater odds of presenting mixed UI (OR = 1.004; 95% CI: 1.001-1.006). Weekly training frequency was inversely associated with both stress and mixed UI.

UI was reported by 43.3% of triathletes, with SUI being the most prevalent type at 25.6%. Parity was the only sociodemographic factor significantly associated with UI. Higher weekly frequency in all disciplines appeared to reduce the likelihood of UI, especially SUI. In contrast, running volume showed a minimal or no association with an increased risk of MUI.