Do You Ever Experience Urinary Leakage When You Exercise?

Did you know that some forms of exercise can actually be detrimental to the pelvic floor muscles?

Currently the Continence Foundation of Australia has a new awareness campaign running. It is called "Pelvic floor first" and is about educating people who exercise about what is "pelvic floor safe" exercise. It is targeted at those who do gym based exercise and those who participate in high impact sports. Sometimes, we may be led to do some forms of exercise that may weaken the pelvic floor, especially if we are doing group classes, following fitness instructors or doing team training.

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Exercises that stress the pelvic floor are:
Running, jumping, star jumps, skipping, boxing, sit ups/curl ups/crunches, deep lunges or wide legged squats, lifting or pressing heavy weights, double leg lifts for abdominal work, high impact jumping and running exercise, sports that involve stop start and rapid change of direction.

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Pelvic floor safe exercise includes:
Walking, swimming, seated gym exercise such as cycling/rowing, low impact exercise classes.
Other exercises can be modified to make them safer, and once confident of your pelvic floor ability, you may be able to train into certain exercises with care and guidance.

If you have concerns speak to or book a consult with our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists at The Sports injury Clinic 97839990 or book online.

Ensure you pelvic floor muscles are strengthening not weakening as you exercise!