INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) practice is important for older population considering its biopsychosocial benefits. Urinary Incontinence (UI) has also been investigated since advancing age is an important risk factor to its occurrence. OBJECTIVE: To investigate prevalence, type and severity of UI symptoms among older women according to regular physical activity practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were 209 older women, divided into three groups according to PA level. Data were collected regarding the presence, type, duration and severity of UI symptoms. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used with the Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and ANOVA tests, according to variables' groups. We adopted a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The presence of UI in the total sample was 33,3% and the lowest prevalence was among the more active older women (28.9%). Regarding the types, 28,7% had stress UI (SUI), 14,8% urgency UI (UUI) and 10,5% mixed UI (MUI). The presence of UUI (p = 0.05) and MUI (p = 0.04) was associated with the sedentary group. Aerobic gymnastics practice was associated with the absence of UI (p = 0.003). In 43.5% of the sample the onset of worsening symptoms came after menopause. Retention of urine without difficulties was associated with the practice of PA (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: The lower incidence of UI among very active older women can be attributed to the benefits of moderate PA in continence mechanism. Moreover, physical exercise also seems to minimize urgency symptoms.
Urinary incontinence; Physical activity; Symptoms; Prevalence; Aged
