Sports and Urinary Leakage: Why Athletes Aren’t Immune?

PhysioMatters
4 days ago
2 min read

When we think about athletes, we imagine strong, fit, and resilient individuals. Therefore, it often comes as a surprise when athletes, both men and women, experience urinary leakage during training or competition. The truth is, urinary incontinence is not limited to older adults or those who have given birth.

Even high-performing athletes can be affected, and research has shown that certain sports actually increases the risk.

Why Does It Happen?

Urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder leaks involuntarily, often because of weakened or overactive pelvic floor muscles. For athletes, the issue usually arises during activities that place repeated stress on the bladder and pelvic floor.

Sports involving jumping, sprinting, or heavy lifting significantly increase intra-abdominal pressure, which the pelvic floor contracts to hold up the pressure. If the pelvic floor can’t meet that demand, leakage may occur.

A systematic review by De Mattos Lourenço et al. (2018) reported that the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence among female athletes ranged from 10% to as high as 80%, depending on the sport. High-impact sports like gymnastics, athletics, and volleyball showed the greatest risk. Male athletes are not exempt either, with urine leakages reported in runners, cyclists, and weightlifters.

The Surprising Prevalence

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (Bø & Nygaard, 2020) found that urine leakage in female athletes is mainly due to the repetitive strain on the pelvic floor, more so than childbirth and ageing.

For male athletes, the story is similar. Although research is less extensive, studies conducted in 2022 and 2021 have reported urinary leakage in men participating in high-impact and endurance sports such as running and cycling. The mechanism is thought to be the same, sustained increases in intra-abdominal pressure that overload the pelvic floor, leading to urine leakage during high-intensity training.

The Silent Struggle

Despite how common it is, many athletes suffer in silence. A sense of embarrassment or the misconception that leakage is “normal” in sport prevents them from seeking help. Some may cut back on training, while others might adapt by using pads, changing hydration patterns, or even avoiding certain movements. Unfortunately, ignoring the problem does not resolve it and in some cases, it may worsen over time.

What Can Be Done?

The good news is that urinary incontinence in athletes can be effectively treated with pelvic floor Physiotherapy. At PhysioMatters, our Pelvic Health Physiotherapists assess whether your symptoms stem from weakness, overactivity or poor coordination of the pelvic floor muscles, and design a program specific to your needs. These could involve exercises to promote proper breathing, lifting techniques, managing training loads and recovery strategies to protect your pelvic floor.

Final Thoughts

Urinary leakage should never be dismissed as “part of the game.” Whether you are a recreational runner or a professional athlete, your pelvic floor health matters. If you notice leakage during sport, it’s not a sign of weakness but rather a signal from your body that support is needed. Addressing it early not only improves quality of life but may also enhance athletic performance.

If you are having urine incontinence, you are not alone – feel free to contact our Physiotherapists to find out more 😊