Pelvic floor health might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think of adolescent athletes, but it’s a critical part of their overall performance and long-term health. For teens dedicated to sports like gymnastics, soccer, volleyball, or track, the pressure and repetitive movements can take a toll on their pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. It has been studied and reported that urinary incontinence in particular affects 50% of female athletes and up to 80% of those who compete in jumping specific sports.What is even more alarming is more than 80% of female athletes will suffer in silence and admit to not telling their coaches due to embarrassment. However, continuation of incontinence and other symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction can affect performance and even lead to dropping the sport altogether.
Let’s break it down – why would a teen develop incontinence or have pelvic floor issues? The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for giving our pelvis and trunk stability. In high impact movements such as running and jumping, the pelvic floor muscles must react to the increase in pressure and react accordingly to prevent any leakage or unwanted, downward pressure onto the pelvic floor muscles. Low energy availability, puberty and hormonal shifts, high metabolic activity and hypermobile joint disorders can contribute to a higher risk of experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction. For girls, menstruation and hormonal shifts can amplify these risks, while boys might deal with groin injuries from intense training or sports.
Here at Break Free Pelvic Health & Wellness, we know that our adolescent athletes may be struggling with pelvic floor dysfunction and we can help.
That’s where our pediatric pelvic floor physical therapist, Dr. Kaleigh Mathis, comes in. As an expert in adolescent pelvic health and one of only a few specialists in the Charleston area with a pediatric pelvic health specialty, she can meet with you to discuss your concerns, identify the dysfunction, and provide tailored solutions to support your young athlete.
So, what can we do? First, education is key. Young athletes, their parents, and coaches need to recognize that pelvic floor dysfunction is extremely common and just not talked about. These aren’t just “embarrassing” problems; they’re signals that something deeper might be going on with their musculoskeletal system and the treatment can be simple. Opening up conversations and removing the stigma around these issues is a great first step.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is an absolute game-changer here. At Break Free Pelvic Health, we’re all about creating personalized plans that make sense for each athlete and their respective sport. Our approach includes teaching proper breathing techniques to reduce unnecessary strain and managing intra-abdominal pressure with high impact movements, targeted exercises to provide trunk and pelvic stability, and movement strategies to prevent future injury. Current research on pelvic floor dysfunction like urinary incontinence in adolescents shows us that young women who experience leakage are more likely to experience it later in adulthood.
Not only can focusing on pelvic floor health help teens avoid chronic conditions like incontinence later on, but it’s also a performance booster. A strong pelvic floor means better core stability, more efficient power generation, and improved overall movement. Plus, it gives athletes confidence—they can push themselves without worrying about discomfort or accidents.
The bottom line — Addressing pelvic floor health in adolescent athletes isn’t just about avoiding problems. It’s about setting them up for success now and in the future. The benefits of participating in sports are crucial for social and physical development – there is no need for pelvic floor problems to become a barrier for sports participation. At Break Free Pelvic Health, we’re passionate about helping young athletes reach their full potential while safeguarding their health. If you’ve got an athlete in your life, we’d love to be part of their support team. Give us a call at 843-471-0351 or fill out the form here for more information on how we can help your young athlete.
