Describing Reproductive and Pelvic Floor Health in Female Former Soccer Athletes: A Preliminary Study : The Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

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Describing Reproductive and Pelvic Floor Health in Female Former Soccer Athletes: A Preliminary Study

Chandran, Avinash PhD, MS1,2,3,4; Nedimyer, Aliza K. MA, LAT, ATC2,4; Walton, Samuel R. PhD, ATC2,3,4; DeCicco, Jamie P. BS2,3; Temme, Kate E. MD, CAQSM5; Willis-Gray, Marcella MD6; Weight, Erianne A. PhD4; Kerr, Zachary Yukio PhD, MPH2,3,4; Mihalik, Jason P. PhD, CAT(C), ATC2,4; DeFreese, J. D. PhD2,3,4; Carneiro, Kevin A. DO2,3,4

Author Information

1Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention, Indianapolis, Indiana.

2Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill.

3Center for Study of Retired Athletes, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill.

4Department of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill.

5Center for the Female Athlete, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill.

Corresponding Author: Avinash Chandran, PhD, MS, NCAA Injury Surveillance Program, Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention, Indianapolis, IN 46202 ([email protected]).

Dr. Avinash Chandran discloses research funding from the National Collegiate Athletic Association as the Director of the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program, and separately from the Atlantic Coast Conference Center for Research on Intercollegiate Athletics, and the University of North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute; he also discloses receiving honoraria from the Sports Neuropsychological Society as well as the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Aliza K. Nedimyer declares doctoral dissertation funding from NATA. Dr. Samuel R. Walton declares work on projects funded by the NCAA and NFL. Dr. J. D. DeFreese discloses research funding from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, the Atlantic Coast Conference Center for Research on Intercollegiate Athletics, and the University of North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute. Dr. Jason P. Mihalik declares having received funding for educational programs from USA Soccer, NWSL, and MLS. He also declares having received research funding from the NCAA.

The authors declare no relevant conflicts of interest.

Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citation appears in the printed text and is provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's Web site (http://journals.lww.com/jwhpt/pages/default.aspx).

Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy 47(2):p 103-113, April/June 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/JWH.0000000000000261

Abstract

Background: 

There is limited understanding of reproductive and pelvic floor health in female former athletes.

Objectives: 

To examine lifespan reproductive and pelvic floor dysfunctions among female former collegiate soccer athletes, and examine potential associations between age at start of soccer careers and self-reported dysfunctions.

Design: 

Survey-based cross-sectional study.

Methods: 

Former women's soccer athletes (n = 124; average age = 42.9 ± 12.2 years) participated in a general health survey aimed at capturing physical and mental health dimensions within this population; the present study utilized a subset of data collected as part of the broader project. Prevalence of reproductive and pelvic floor dysfunctions was examined, and associations between the outcomes of interest and age at start of soccer career were assessed using Fisher's exact tests.

Results: 

Under one-quarter of respondents reported not having periods at the time of study participation (n = 29; 23%); with 30 (24.2%) reporting currently being in menopausal transition or being postmenopausal. Fifty-five (44.4%) respondents reported lifetime pregnancies; among them, 21 (38.2%) reported having 1 or more miscarriage. The most commonly reported pelvic floor dysfunctions included accidental urinary leakage (55.6%), nocturia (45.2%), and accidental flatulence (37.1%). Fisher's exact tests revealed several associations between pelvic floor dysfunctions and age at start of career, with higher prevalences of dysfunctions observed among those who reported starting their soccer careers at older ages.

Conclusion: 

Study findings indicate that pelvic floor health warrants further attention among female former athletes, and personal or demographic characteristics may be important determinants of menstrual irregularities and dysfunctions in this population.

© 2023 Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, APTA.

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