SPORTS MEDICINE AND THE PELVIC FLOOR. SCIENCE TO PRACTICE

1 The pelvic floor is sports medicine
2 The female pelvic floor—anatomy, function, and the lifespan model
3 An evolutionary perspective on human pelvic floor function and disorders
4 Biomechanics of childbirth
5 The prevalence and impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on athlete engagement, enjoyment, and performance
6 The hidden strain: Pelvic floor dysfunction in athletes - an epidemiological perspective
7 Surveillance, screening, and athlete profiling for pelvic floor dysfunction
8 Assessment and measurement of the female pelvic floor
9 Differential diagnosis—Is it the pelvic floor, the hip, or the groin?
10 Pelvic floor dysfunction—Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
11 Pelvic floor dysfunction—Gastrointestinal issues impacting the female athlete
12 Pelvic floor dysfunction—understanding pelvic pain in female athletes
13 Psychological considerations for pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic conditions
14 Load capacity of the pelvic floor
15 Sports specific considerations for load capacity of the pelvic floor
16 Saddle soreness and other genitoperineal complaints in cyclists
17 High-impact exercise and the pelvic floor
18 Resistance training and the pelvic floor: Evidence, gaps, and clinical implications
19 Management of pelvic floor dysfunction in the female athlete—The evidence for pelvic floor muscle training and adjunctive devices
20 Adjuncts to pelvic floor muscle training—The application of products and devices
21 Adjuncts to pelvic floor muscle training—FemTech and the role of virtual care
22 Pelvic floor considerations for return to performance
23 Clinical reasoning—A reasoned call to action?
24 Conversations with the sports medicine team—experiences and perspectives on sports medicine and the pelvic floor

Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor: Science to Practice shines a spotlight on a critical but often overlooked aspect of female athlete health: the pelvic floor. Bringing together the expertise of international clinicians and researchers, this book highlights persistent gaps in knowledge and practice, offering valuable direction for future research. It educates professionals on how to effectively screen, treat, and rehabilitate athletes, emphasizing that pelvic floor dysfunction can profoundly impact engagement, athletic performance, and overall well-being. By addressing this traditionally taboo subject, the authors provide evidence-based insights that call for the pelvic floor to be considered as essential in sports medicine.

Sections discuss practical strategies for screening and supporting athletes, managing or alleviating symptoms, and ensuring a safe return to sport, all while prioritizing long-term pelvic health. This is an indispensable resource for anyone working with female athletes, blending science and clinical experience to advance care in this vital area.

Features:
• Chapter contributions from an international panel of experts
• Overview of the pelvic floor muscles, their function and what happens when they are dysfunctional
• Outlines the current state of science on the pelvic floor within sports medicine

Author
Gráinne M. Donnelly, BSc (Hons), MSc, MCSP, HCPC, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK