Ep. 93: Pelvic Floor Health and Athletic Performance in Female Athletes with Dr. Lisa VanWiel

Pelvic floor health is an often overlooked, but critically important aspect of female athlete health and performance. Despite increasing awareness, many athletes, coaches, and practitioners remain unaware of how common pelvic floor dysfunction is among female athletes and how significantly it can impact both performance and quality of life.In this episode of Clinically Pressed, Andrew Jagim sits down with Dr. Lisa VanWiel (University of Wisconsin–La Crosse) to discuss pelvic floor health in female athletes, with a particular focus on urinary incontinence, one of the most common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Research suggests that 60–70% of female athletes experience some degree of urinary incontinence, particularly in sports that involve running, jumping, and high-impact movements. Despite its high prevalence, many athletes are reluctant to discuss these issues or may assume it is simply a normal consequence of sport participation.Dr. VanWiel helps break down why pelvic floor health matters for athletes, how dysfunction can influence performance and injury risk, and what athletes and practitioners should be aware of when identifying potential issues.Topics discussed in this episode include:• The role of the pelvic floor in athletic performance and core stability• Why urinary incontinence is so prevalent in female athletes (60–70%)• Common warning signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction athletes and coaches should recognize• How pelvic floor dysfunction can impact performance, comfort, and confidence in sport• Practical strategies athletes can use to support pelvic floor health• The role of pelvic floor physical therapy and rehabilitation, and the high success rates seen with targeted interventionsImportantly, this conversation highlights that urinary leakage during sport is not normal and should not be ignored. With proper evaluation and treatment, particularly through specialized physical therapy, many athletes experience substantial improvements and can continue training and competing without limitations.Whether you’re a strength coach, athletic trainer, sports medicine clinician, or athlete, this episode provides practical insight into an often under-discussed topic that has major implications for the health and performance of female athletes.#complicatedsimple #resultsthatgiveback #heartbeatbarbell