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PhD Academy Award
Bridging gaps, shaping futures: pelvic floor health for athletes (PhD Academy Award)
  1. Silvia Giagio1,2
  1. 1 Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  2. 2 Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy
  1. Correspondence to Dr Silvia Giagio, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; silvia.giagio2{at}unibo.it

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108359

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    What did I do?

    The aim of my thesis was to gain an in-depth understanding of various aspects of pelvic health in athletes, especially females. To achieve this, I combined different research method designs to investigate and summarise the available evidence on pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) prevalence data and interventions, to improve the screening referral process and to disseminate evidence-based information to sports medicine professionals and athletes. The integration of pelvic floor health into sports medicine aims to improve the health and well-being of athletes through continuous support and monitoring.

    Why did I do it?

    PFD is an umbrella term that includes a myriad of conditions including urinary and anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction.1 2 The available literature indicates high prevalence rates of PFD among athletes, especially an increased risk of developing urinary incontinence symptoms during high-impact sports.3 However, PFD prevalence across sexes, exploring treatment options and the absence of a standardised referral screening tool are notable gaps in the research literature. Additionally, there is widespread misinformation about PFD in athletes within …

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    Footnotes

    • X @silvia_gig

    • Contributors Conceptualisation, methodology, analysis, data curation, writing, review and editing: SG.

    • Funding SG’s PhD programme 'Health, Safety and Green Systems' was promoted by the University of Bologna and Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Imola (Italy).

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.