Incontinence in Female Athletes

Why it happens and how to fix it for better performance

Incontinence during training or competition is more common than you might think—but that doesn’t mean it’s normal. If you're leaking urine while running, jumping, lifting, or performing high-intensity movements, it's a sign your body is under strain. And importantly, it’s something that can—and should—be addressed.

Why Incontinence in Athletes Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Many female athletes experience stress urinary incontinence, which means leakage occurs during activities that put pressure on the bladder—like sprinting, lifting, or even sneezing. While this is common, it's a red flag that your core and pelvic floor are not functioning properly. Ignoring this issue not only affects your confidence, but it could also be putting you at higher risk for sports injuries and chronic performance limitations.

Understanding the Cause: It’s Not Just About the Bladder

Incontinence isn’t just a pelvic floor problem. It’s often a whole-body issue, linked to hip and core weakness, and faulty movement patterns. Your core, hips, glutes, and pelvic floor muscles work together as a team to support your spine, maintain stability, and control pressure during high-impact activities.

When one part of this system underperforms—such as weakened hip stabilizers or an underactive deep core—it places too much stress on the pelvic floor, leading to incontinence. This instability can also contribute to:

• Lower back pain

• Hip or groin injuries

• Poor athletic technique

• Slower recovery times

Why Solving Incontinence Leads to Better Performance

Fixing incontinence is not just about avoiding accidents—it's about unlocking your full athletic potential. When your pelvic floor and core muscles are coordinated and strong, you’ll experience:

✅ Improved running and jumping mechanics

✅ Greater trunk stability

✅ More power during lifts

✅ Reduced risk of injury

✅ Better focus during training and competitions

What You Can Do: Don’t Wait to Get Help

Incontinence in athletes is treatable, and you shouldn’t have to train around it. With a detailed physiotherapy assessment, we can identify underlying muscle imbalances, create a personalized pelvic floor and core strengthening plan, and guide you toward confident, high-performing movement—without leakage.

Book a Physiotherapy Appointment Today

Whether you’re a recreational athlete or a competitive performer, your body deserves to work efficiently and powerfully. If you're experiencing any signs of incontinence during exercise, book a private, professional physiotherapy consultation today. Together, we’ll rebuild your core strength, prevent future injuries, and help you get back to performing at your best.

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