title: Assessment of pelvic floor muscle pressure in female athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the pressure of the pelvic floor muscles in female athletes and the associated signs and symptoms of stress urinary incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  An academic institution, primary level of clinical care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty women between 18 and 30 years of age divided into 4 groups: 10 volleyball players, 10 handball players, 10 basketball players, and 10 nonathletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The measurement of intracavity pressure was performed with use of a perineometer. The volunteers were instructed to perform 3 maximum isometric contractions of the perineum, held for 4 seconds. Data regarding specific training and urinary symptoms were collected through a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance, with a significance level of 5%. The Spearman correlation was used to verify the degree of association between variables related to training, urinary symptoms, and perineal pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average (standard deviation) perineal pressure for nonathletes was 6.73 ± 1.91 mm Hg. The average perineal pressure for handball players was 5.55 ± 1.43 mm Hg; for volleyball players, 4.36 ± 1.43 mm Hg; and for basketball players, 3.65 ± 1.35 mm Hg. Statistically significant differences were found in the perineal pressure of volleyball (P = .009) and basketball players (P = .039) compared with nonathletes. The number of games per year, strength training, and on-court workout correlated significantly with perineal pressure (Spearman correlation coefficient [Rs] of -0.512 for the 3 variables). Urine leakage through effort and nocturia correlated moderately with perineal pressure (Rs of -0.51 and -0.54, respectively). A strong correlation was found between urinary frequency and perineal pressure (Rs of -0.85).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analysis of these data suggests that perineal pressure is decreased in female athletes compared with nonathlete women. A lower perineal pressure correlates with increased symptoms of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy, Methodist University of Piracicaba, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lílian Cristina Marques da Silva
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Borin
authors.forename: Fabiana Roberta
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Elaine Caldeira de Oliveira
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Guirro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D056352:Athletes; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D053158:Nocturia / Q000503:physiopathology; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D010502:Perineum / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055070:Resistance Training; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult