Low-Physical Activity Associated with Urinary Incontinence Among Women

Physical activity is widely known to have numerous physical and mental health benefits. However, a recent observational study shed light on how urinary incontinence (UI) can significantly influence the level of physical activity in women. The study found that nearly two-thirds of US women view UI as a barrier to physical activity, causing them to exercise less or even modify their activity routines.

The study aimed to determine the relationship between UI and physical activity patterns, as well as whether the severity of urinary symptoms played a role in impacting physical activity levels. Researchers collected data from 1,446 women and used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to measure physical activity levels. The presence and impact of UI were assessed using the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scale. Various sociodemographic, health status, lifestyle, and obstetric data were also gathered and analyzed.

The findings revealed that 55.8% of the women in the study had UI, and 25.7% reported low physical activity. Notably, mixed incontinence was associated with a 53% higher likelihood of low physical activity. Moreover, the intensity of urinary symptoms, as measured by the UDI-6 score, was linked to an increased probability of low physical activity. For every unit increase in the UDI-6 score, the odds of low physical activity increased by approximately 1.4%.

Several other factors were identified as contributors to low physical activity, including age, body mass index, pelvic pain, and income level. All of these variables were found to be statistically significant in their association with reduced physical activity.

This study highlights the significant impact of UI on women's physical activity levels. Mixed-type UI was found to be particularly associated with low physical activity levels across the entire group of women studied. Additionally, among women with UI, the severity of urinary symptoms was found to increase the likelihood of low physical activity.

Understanding this relationship between UI and physical activity is crucial for healthcare professionals and women themselves. It emphasizes the need for effective strategies and interventions to manage UI and promote physical activity, as maintaining an active lifestyle is paramount for overall health and well-being. This research underscores the importance of addressing UI as a barrier to physical activity, allowing women to lead healthier and more active lives.

Source:

Peinado-Molina, R. A., Martínez-Vázquez, S., Hernández-Martínez, A., & Martínez-Galiano, J. M. (2023). Impact and Influence of Urinary Incontinence on Physical Activity Levels. In European Urology Open Science (Vol. 55, pp. 50–58). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euros.2023.07.004