Urinary incontinence and perineal muscle function in physically active and sedentary elderly women

Abstract

Objective: To identify the presence of urinary incontinence and compare perineal muscle function among physically active and sedentary older women. Methods: The sample consisted of 39 elderly women, 28 of whom got regular physical activity (AG) and 11 did not (SG). We collected data on risk factors for pelvic floor weakness and the presence of urinary incontinence (UI). The evaluation of perineal function was performed using PERFECT and perineometry. The data were processed with descriptive (simple frequencies, percentages, measures of position and dispersion) and inferential statistics (Chi-square or Fisher Exact Test, when necessary, and Mann-Whitney) with a significance level of 5%. Results: There was a higher mean age (p=0.04) in AG. The occurrence of UI in the sample was 56.4%. Urge UI was associated with SG (p=0.022). All PERFECT variables were higher in AG than SG, with significant differences for the variables "repetitions" (p=0.008) and "fast" (p=0.022). Perineometry revealed that fast twitch fibers (p=0.008) and slow twitch fibers (p=0.05) were higher in the AG. Conclusion: AG had better pelvic floor muscle function. However, the prevalence of UI was higher in this group, which suggested the influence of age on the urinary continence mechanism.Keywords: pelvic floor; perineum; muscle strength; urinary incontinence; physical activity; elderly. ResumoObjetivo: Identificar a presença de incontinência urinária (IU) e comparar a função muscular perineal entre idosas praticantes e não-praticantes de atividade física regular. Métodos: Participaram deste estudo 39 idosas, sendo 28 praticantes (GP) e 11 não-praticantes de atividade física regular (GNP). Foram coletados dados referentes aos fatores de risco para enfraquecimento do assoalho pélvico e presença de IU. A avaliação da função perineal foi feita por meio do esquema PERFECT e da perineometria. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva (frequência simples, porcentagem, medidas de posição e dispersão) e inferencial (teste do qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher, quando necessário, e teste de Mann-Whitney). O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: A variável idade (p=0,04) apresentou média superior no GP. A ocorrência de IU na amostra foi de 56,4%. A IU de urgência associou-se com o GNP (p=0,022).Todas as variáveis do esquema PERFECT foram superiores entre as idosas do GP em relação ao GNP, com diferença significativa para a variável repetições (p=0,008) e rapidez (p=0,022). Na perineometria, as funções das fibras de contração rápida (p=0,008) e das fibras de contração lenta (p=0,05) foram superiores no GP. Conclusão: As idosas do GP apresentam melhor função muscular do assoalho pélvico. Entretanto, a prevalência de IU

Diagnostic Accuracy of Anthropometric Indicators in the Prediction of Urinary Incontinence in Physically Active Older Women

“…9 Furthermore, in relation to the BMI and WC of physically active older women, the study found that these anthropometric measurements are not a risk factor associated with UI in this population. 27 Another important factor is that the perceived aerobic capacity (able to run for 30 minutes) is associated with better muscle function of the pelvic floor (OR ¼ 1.63; 95%CI 1.27-2.09), 28 which can reduce the association between these anthropometric variables and the presence of UI.…”

Mulheres idosas com incontinência urinária apresentam menor nível de atividade física habitual

“…Another aspect related to UI is that regular physical activity helps to reduce body weight, which is an important risk factor in the genesis of UI 12 and minimizes the decline in muscle strength, including pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in older women 11 . Lee and Hirayama 19 assessed the relationship of physical activity with UI and found that the practice of walking an average of 5 hours a week is a protective factor for UI (OR = 0:43; CI 95% = 0.20-0.96) and Kikuchi et al 16 analyzed the relationship of physical activity in the leisure domain with UI and found that moderate (OR = 0.63; CI 95% = 0.42-0.94) and high levels (OR = 0 43; CI 95% = 0.26-0.68) of physical activity are protective factors for UI.…”

“…Other studies claim that the practice of moderate physical activity can minimize the reduction in the strength of pelvic floor muscles 11 or even reduce the occurrence of UI with increasing age 12 . Thus, it was observed that the level of scientific evidence on the influence of physical activity on urinary incontinence is still undefined and bidirectional 13 , as it may be a risk factor (OR = 1.37; CI 95% = 1.09-0.71) 15 or a protection factor for urinary incontinence (OR = 0.62; CI 95% = 0.44-0.89) 14 .…”

Acute effect of resistance exercise performed at different intensities on urine loss in older women

“…Although it is known that UI is associated with decreased mobility [8] and that older women performing physical exercise have better pelvic floor muscle function than their sedentary peers [9], it is necessary to determine whether older women with UI lose urine when performing resistance exercise at different intensities (moderate and vigorous). Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of resistance exercise performed at different intensities (moderate and vigorous) on urine loss in older women with mixed and stress UI.…”