Impact and Influence of Urinary Incontinence on Physical Activity Levels

Abstract

Background: The benefits of physical activity are numerous on both physical and mental levels. Urinary incontinence (UI) can influence physical activity level; among US women, nearly two out of three view this problem as a barrier to physical activity, meaning that they do not exercise, exercise less, or even have to change their activity routines to accommodate this pelvic floor dysfunction.

Objective: To determine whether UI influences the pattern of physical activity and whether a greater impact of urinary symptoms could influence the level of physical activity.

Design setting and participants: An observational study was carried out with women in 2021 and 2022 in Spain.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The main dependent variable was level physical activity, as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scale was used to determine the presence of UI and its impact. Sociodemographic, health status, lifestyle and obstetric data were obtained. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using binary logistic regression, obtaining adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results and limitations: A total of 1446 women participated, of whom 55.8% (807) had UI and 25.7% (371) reported low physical activity. Mixed incontinence (aOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.09-2.15) overall and a greater intensity of urinary symptoms (UDI-6 score; aOR: 1.014; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02) in the group of women with incontinence were statistically associated with a higher frequency of low physical activity. Other variables related to low physical activity were age, body mass index, pelvic pain, and income level (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Mixed-type UI is associated with low-level physical activity or inactivity in the whole group of women, while among women with UI, the greater impact of the symptoms increases the probability of low physical activity or inactivity.

Patient summary: In this report, it is analyzed how urinary incontinence affects physical activity. It was found that women who suffer from mixed-type urinary incontinence have a low level of physical activity or inactivity, while those who experience a greater impact of urinary incontinence symptoms have an increased likelihood of having low physical activity or inactivity.

Keywords: Exercise; Pelvic floor; Pelvic floor disorders; Urinary incontinence; Women's health services.

Fig. 1

Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scale scores according to low level of physical activity VS normal level physical activity.