Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes
# Background Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) occurs when muscles of the pelvic floor become weakened, impaired, or experience tension leading to a variety of complications. Due to the reactive nature and high demands of many sports, athletes are at increased susceptibility and of particular interest...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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North American Sports Medicine Institute
2024-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.120211 |
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| _version_ | 1825197133451493376 |
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| author | Charles J Salvo Ashlie Crewe Dillon Estes Jessica Kroboth Celia Yost |
| author_facet | Charles J Salvo Ashlie Crewe Dillon Estes Jessica Kroboth Celia Yost |
| author_sort | Charles J Salvo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) occurs when muscles of the pelvic floor become weakened, impaired, or experience tension leading to a variety of complications. Due to the reactive nature and high demands of many sports, athletes are at increased susceptibility and of particular interest concerning PFD.
# Hypothesis/Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of PFD among college-aged athletes, assess how PFD impacted athletic performance, and identify contributing factors for increased likelihood of PFD in athletes.
# Study Design
Cross-Sectional Study
# Methods
All fully active LVC NCAA Division 3 athletes were recruited for screening for PFD using the Cozean Pelvic Dysfunction Screening Protocol and were surveyed on their self-knowledge of PFD. Athletes who scored ≥ 3 on this tool completed an additional survey, created by the investigators, to identify the impact PFD had on their athletic performance and personal life and were then randomly assigned to one of three investigators to undergo a noninvasive coccygeal assessment to determine underactive, overactive, or normal pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity.
# Results
Fifty-three Division III male and female athletes between the ages of 18-25 years old participated in the study. Statistically significant differences were found between Cozean scores and demographic factors of age (*p* \<0.001), gender (*p* \<0.05), self-knowledge of PFD (*p* \<0.001), and sport (*p* \<0.001) among all participants that contributed to the increased likelihood of PFD. Thirteen athletes scored ≥ 3 on the Cozean with the 92.3% experiencing under/over active PFM activity and the majority indicating that PFD significantly impacted their athletic performance and quality of life.
# Conclusion
The results indicate that older female NCAA Division III college athletes who participate in swimming and who possess self-knowledge of PFD are more likely to experience PFD. Additionally, these athletes are likely to encounter a significant impact on their athletic performance and quality of life. These results provide preliminary evidence on the need of PFD awareness and assessment among college athletes.
# Level of Evidence
Level 3b |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-efc1d33ad5c4471bafc933791cf50981 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-efc1d33ad5c4471bafc933791cf509812025-02-11T20:27:11ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962024-07-01197Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged AthletesCharles J SalvoAshlie CreweDillon EstesJessica KrobothCelia Yost# Background Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) occurs when muscles of the pelvic floor become weakened, impaired, or experience tension leading to a variety of complications. Due to the reactive nature and high demands of many sports, athletes are at increased susceptibility and of particular interest concerning PFD. # Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of PFD among college-aged athletes, assess how PFD impacted athletic performance, and identify contributing factors for increased likelihood of PFD in athletes. # Study Design Cross-Sectional Study # Methods All fully active LVC NCAA Division 3 athletes were recruited for screening for PFD using the Cozean Pelvic Dysfunction Screening Protocol and were surveyed on their self-knowledge of PFD. Athletes who scored ≥ 3 on this tool completed an additional survey, created by the investigators, to identify the impact PFD had on their athletic performance and personal life and were then randomly assigned to one of three investigators to undergo a noninvasive coccygeal assessment to determine underactive, overactive, or normal pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity. # Results Fifty-three Division III male and female athletes between the ages of 18-25 years old participated in the study. Statistically significant differences were found between Cozean scores and demographic factors of age (*p* \<0.001), gender (*p* \<0.05), self-knowledge of PFD (*p* \<0.001), and sport (*p* \<0.001) among all participants that contributed to the increased likelihood of PFD. Thirteen athletes scored ≥ 3 on the Cozean with the 92.3% experiencing under/over active PFM activity and the majority indicating that PFD significantly impacted their athletic performance and quality of life. # Conclusion The results indicate that older female NCAA Division III college athletes who participate in swimming and who possess self-knowledge of PFD are more likely to experience PFD. Additionally, these athletes are likely to encounter a significant impact on their athletic performance and quality of life. These results provide preliminary evidence on the need of PFD awareness and assessment among college athletes. # Level of Evidence Level 3bhttps://doi.org/10.26603/001c.120211 |
| spellingShingle | Charles J Salvo Ashlie Crewe Dillon Estes Jessica Kroboth Celia Yost Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes |
| title_full | Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes |
| title_fullStr | Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes |
| title_short | Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes |
| title_sort | screening for incidence and effect of pelvic floor dysfunction in college aged athletes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.120211 |
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