Sport With Incontinence

Why You Should Continue Doing Sports Whilst Handling Incontinence

Just because you have incontinence, you shouldn’t let this deter you from continuing to play sports. In fact, doing regular exercise can increase your fitness, it will have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and improve your mood. Incontinence and sport work well together in principle. However, some sports activities are more suitable than others for bladder weakness. Sports that you can still do whilst having incontinence include:

• Gymnastics

• Moderate jogging

• A paced walk

• Pilates

• Cycling

• Swimming

• Yoga

• Hiking

• Speed walking

• Hula hoops

• Pelvic floor exercises

Sports can even have a positive effect and relieve or prevent symptoms. Physical activity increases not only well-being but also helps to shed unwanted pounds. And less weight on the scales means less pressure on the bladder.

Products for you

Take a look at our incontinence products for slight incontinence

Check it out

Stress Incontinence And Sport

Stress incontinence is an important issue in regard to bladder weakness and sport. For people with weakened pelvic floor muscles, physical exertion such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or playing sports often leads to unwanted loss of urine. 

A recent survey discovered that among over 300 women, 47% acknowledged experiencing incontinence to some degree whilst exercising. This can be exacerbated by various symptoms that sport can lead to, including coughing and sneezing.

The most common causes of stress incontinence in women include hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy or the birth itself. In men the most common cause is prostate surgery, or prostate problems after surgery.

For more information about this condition, read our guide about stress incontinence in women.

Tips Whilst Exercising With Incontinence

Considering what we have highlighted about exercises that you should and shouldn’t participate in whilst handling incontinence, you should therefore train where possible on soft surfaces such as grass or sand courts. If you take part in a type of sport that is played on a hard surface, you can counteract the high impacts by wearing sports shoes with appropriate cushioning. You can also consult your healthcare professional about what types of sportswear is right for you when worn alongside incontinence pads.

You should also consider these tips below throughout your workout:

• Do not consume a large meal before exercising

• Do not over consume fluids.

• Evacuate your bladder before working out.

• Incorporate incontinence pads to prevent leakages.

• Opt for light exercises on soft surfaces, such as walking, swimming and pilates, and use light weight machines if you want to go in a gym, such as treadmills and the cross trainer.

• Avoid heavy weight lifting which can put pressure on the bladder.

  
  

Targeted Training For The Pelvic Floor

Firm pelvic floor muscles offer the bladder the necessary support and can prevent bladder weakness. Using targeted training of the pelvic floor muscles, those affected by bladder weakness can relieve the symptoms of an existing condition and improve their quality of life. And the good thing about such training is that even five to ten minutes of exercise a day make noticeable improvements in the pelvic floor and can be easily integrated into a personal training plan and everyday life.

If you initially have problems squeezing the pelvic floor muscles, start with targeted tensing exercises. Squeeze the muscles as though you are trying to stop the flow of urine. Then relax the muscles. As soon as you can successfully do this first exercise, you can gradually integrate it into your training program. You should try to squeeze the pelvic floor muscles during activities such as yoga or pilates to actively train the muscles.

Professional Advice And Support For Sports With Incontinence

To find the right type of sport for incontinence and to ensure that you are correctly training your pelvic floor, we recommend discussing these issues with your doctor. They can assess whether certain types of sport are good for you and whether they may be beneficial given how mild or severe your incontinence is. And particularly at the start of your training, it is recommended to seek the professional support of a physiotherapist.

Tip: It is all too easy to overestimate your abilities when training or even to play the wrong type of sport. And this can inadvertently have negative impacts on your pelvic floor.

Other Ways To Relieve Pressure On The Bladder Whilst Exercising

You should always drink plenty of water before, during and after training. This is because deliberately reducing fluids will not relieve pressure on the bladder. The bladder is additionally irritated because urine is more highly concentrated as a result of drinking less. If you have heart or kidney disorders, please talk to your doctor about possible restrictions on the volume of liquids you can drink.

It is important to be able to rely on being protected from bladder leaks during your workout. For a secure feeling and the necessary comfort when wearing sports clothing, discreet, absorbent pads or disposable pants are recommended. The first option can be easily fixed onto underwear using the wide adhesive strips while disposable pants, which resemble normal underpants, provide secure and discreet protection.

Living A Healthier Lifestyle With Incontinence

In conclusion, hopefully we have answered all questions that you may have had whilst considering sports with incontinence. Whilst it is still okay to do certain exercises whilst living with incontinence, such as walks, cycling, and swimming, you should perform these without too much intensity, otherwise this can worsen the effects of incontinence. Participating in sports activities with incontinence can overall aid your wellbeing.

FAQs

What exercises should I avoid with incontinence?

High-impact activities like jumping, running, and heavy lifting are best avoided with incontinence. Opt for low-impact exercises like swimming or stationary biking.

What are the worst exercises for incontinence?

Exercises that put excessive pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, such as plyometrics, trampolining, and certain weightlifting routines, can worsen incontinence.

What should you not do if you have incontinence?

You should avoid activities that strain the pelvic floor muscles, including sudden and forceful movements, as well as high-impact exercises that can exacerbate incontinence.

What worsens incontinence?

Factors that can worsen incontinence include obesity, smoking, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, and activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, like heavy lifting or chronic constipation.

Is jumping bad for incontinence?

Yes, jumping is generally considered bad for incontinence as it places significant stress on the pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to leaks. Low-impact alternatives are recommended for those with incontinence.