The prevalence of urinary incontinence in female CrossFit practitioners: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: CrossFit is a popular sportamong women. It has numerous benefits, but it is unclearwhat effects it has on the pelvic floor, since physicalexercise may be a risk factor for urinary incontinence.The aim of this study was to determine theoverall prevalence of urinary incontinence in femaleCrossFit practitioners. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysiswere conducted (PROSPERO, 2020: CRD42020199479).We searched cross-sectional studies in databases (Pub-Med, CINAHL, WOS, Scopus, ProQuest) and search engines,from inception to 17 June, 2020. The AdaptedNewcastle-Ottawa Scale for Cross-Sectional Studies wasused to assess the risk of bias. Pooled prevalence wascalculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneitywas investigated by meta-regression and subgroupanalysis.

Results: A total of 282 records were identified, ofwhich 13 were included in the qualitative and quantitativesynthesises. The prevalence of urinary incontinenceamong female CrossFit practitioners was 32.1%(95% CI = 22.2-43.8%, n = 2187) and of stress urinaryincontinence was 35.8% (95% CI = 19.4-56.4%, n =1323). The prevalence of urinary incontinence was higher among women over 35 years old, with previouspregnancies and vaginal deliveries (P = 0.004). TheCrossFit exercises associated with higher stress urinaryincontinence were rope jumping, double under,weightlifting, and box jumps. Some preventive strategieswere pelvic floor training, using pads, emptyingthe bladder before workouts, and wearing dark pants. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the prevalenceof urinary incontinence in female CrossFit practitionerswas similar to that found among women whopractice sport.