Assessing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women Practising Competitive Judo: Findings from a Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: High impact physical activity (PA) in sportswomen is a risk factor for the development of stress-induced urinary incontinence and potentially for other dysfunctions of the pelvic floor. This study was aimed at assessing the occurrence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in professional female judo practitioners. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study included a total of 88 women practising professional judo and 88 women practising other sports disciplines. Participants completed Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (CLSS) questionnaire to assess the condition of the lower urinary tract, along with sport-related data questionnaires and self-reported anthropometric measures. RESULTS: Among 19.31% of women practising judo no LUTS were recorded and the majority of the remaining judo athletes (67.6%) indicated the occurrence of one or two symptoms. Urgency was the most common symptom (40.9%). Six of the 10 analysed LUTS were statistically significantly less frequent in female judo athletes and the average number of LUTS was statistically significantly lower in this group (95% CI 1.67-2.48 vs 2.9-3.94; p < 0.001). Severity of three symptoms (nocturia, incomplete emptying of the bladder and urethral pain) was statistically significantly lower in women practising judo and their overall CLSS score was statistically significantly lower (95% CI 1.96-3.1 vs 3.9-5.68; p < 0.001). These athletes were also more satisfied with the level of acceptance of the CLSS condition (95% CI 0.67-1.18 vs 1.19-1.84; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other disciplines, competitive judo is not a risk factor for increased LUTS; therefore, the level of health satisfaction with the condition of the lower urinary tract in women practising judo is high.