Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in Female Professional Soccer Players by Category and Specific Position: A Comparative Study with a Control Group

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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) significantly impacts quality of life, with varying prevalence in women depending on factors such as age, childbirth, and type of sport practiced. This study compared the prevalence, types, and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) between professional female soccer players and sedentary students, analyzing its relation to playing position and competitive level. Methods: A descriptive, observational, and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, assessing the prevalence, severity, and types of UI among 235 nulliparous professional female soccer players (experimental group, EG) and 252 sedentary female students (control group, CG). Data were collected using the short version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ-SF). Statistical analyses included Fisher’s exact test to compare prevalence rates. Results: The findings revealed that 35% of soccer players and 31% of sedentary students reported experiencing UI. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was the most prevalent type in both groups, affecting 26% of soccer players and 14% of sedentary students, while mixed UI was more frequent among sedentary women (17%) (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in UI prevalence based on playing position or competitive level (p ≥ 0.05). However, female soccer players exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of UI during physical exertion or exercise compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.001), suggesting that high-impact sports may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. Additionally, 23.8% of soccer players reported mild-to-moderate UI severity. Conclusion: Female soccer players showed higher UI prevalence during exercise, underscoring the need for targeted interventions like pelvic floor training.

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