High levels of physical activity are independently related to a lower self-reported prevalence of urinary incontinence in a community-dwelling population aged 70 years and older, a Japanese study showed.
The findings, based on a cross-sectional survey of 676 men and women, suggest that physical activity may have a potentially beneficial effect on prevention of urinary incontinence.
Each subject participated in an extensive health interview. A self-reported single-item questionnaire was used to estimate different levels of physical activity in each individual. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was estimated using the self-administered International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire.
The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 25% (34% in women and 16% in men). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, subjects who reported middle and high levels of physical activity were 29% and 42% less likely to report urinary incontinence. Findings appear in European Urology (2007;52:868-875).