Pelvic Floor Muscle Training to Reduce Urinary Leakage and Enhance Muscle Performance in Women Rugby Players Aged 18 to 45

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a rugby-specific pelvic floor muscle training program can reduce urinary incontinence symptoms and improve muscle performance in professional and semi-professional women rugby players aged 18 to 45 years. This randomized controlled trial compares the specialized training program to usual rugby training without pelvic floor exercises. The study aims to address urinary leakage common in female athletes, which can affect training, confidence, and performance, while considering rugbys unique physical demands. Participants in the intervention group will follow an individualized 8-week pelvic floor muscle training program delivered remotely by certified physiotherapists and sport scientists. The program includes pelvic floor muscle awareness, activation, relaxation, breathing and posture coordination, progressive exercises in various positions, the Knack technique before high-impact tasks, and rugby-relevant functional movements like squatting and jumping. The control group will continue their usual rugby training without the pelvic floor exercises but will be offered the program materials and a remote advisory session after the study period. Participants will be assessed at the start and immediately after the 8-week intervention. Assessments include questionnaires on urinary incontinence severity and pelvic floor symptoms, as well as neuromuscular tests such as jump height, isometric squat force, and reactive strength index. Adherence to the training program will be tracked through self-reports, physiotherapist logs, and remote session attendance. The main outcome measured is the change in urinary incontinence severity following the training.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Neuromuscular Performance in Women's Rugby