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Home / Equine Research Bank / Med Sci Monit / Evaluating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Female Horse Show Jum...
Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research2025; 31; e946830; doi: 10.12659/MSM.946830

Evaluating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Female Horse Show Jumpers Using the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) significantly reduces quality of life. During horseback riding, the movement of the horse's back affects the tension of the pelvic floor muscles. This study aimed to compare reported symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction in women with past, current, and no history of horse show jumping. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined 160 women (age 23.69±3.96 years). The cohort group consisted of 74 women training currently and training in the past, and a control group of 86 women not practicing horseback riding. The study used the original questionnaire and the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire. RESULTS The analysis of the questionnaire results in groups (currently training, past training, control group) concerned bladder function (0.93±0.85 vs 0.88±0.66 vs 0.88±0.67, respectively; p=0.901), bowel function (1.22±0.96 vs 1.38±0.93 vs 1.37±0.77, respectively; p=0.266), pelvic organ prolapse (0.02±0.13 vs 0.00±0.00 vs 0.04±0.19, respectively; p=0.626), sexual activity (1.68±1.69 vs 1.46±1.23 vs 1.80±1.40, respectively; p=0.515), and total score for sexually active women (3.84±2.68 vs 3.82±1.86 vs 4.1±2.09, respectively; p=0.834). There were no statistically significant differences between the study groups in terms of individual PFD functions or overall PFD scores. CONCLUSIONS Pelvic floor dysfunction does not differ between show jumping riders and non-riders, so further research is advisable in this field, considering different equestrian sports and the use of clinical assessment of PFM function. Undoubtedly, the present study contributes to filling the knowledge gap and is important to the development of urogynaecology physiotherapy.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-16 PubMed ID: 40089837PubMed Central: PMC11924776DOI: 10.12659/MSM.946830Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates if horse show jumping, a physically demanding activity, affects pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in women. While PFD can greatly reduce quality of life, the study found no significant differences in reported PFD symptoms between women who have or are participating in horse show jumping and those who have not.

Study Background and Purpose

  • The intent of this research was to understand the impacts of horse show jumping, a strenuous physical activity, on pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in women. Since horseback riding movement affects the tension of the pelvic floor muscles, researchers hypothesized performance in this sport could direct the incidence of PFD.
  • Previous studies have shown that PFD can significantly reduce quality of life, thus it is vital to study those activities that can potentially contribute to its development.

Methodology

  • The research involved 160 women with an average age of approximately 24 years. The subject pool consisted of three groups: those currently training in horse show jumping, those with a history of past training, and a control group of women who have never practiced horseback riding.
  • Both an original questionnaire and the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire were employed to evaluate PFD symptoms in the participants. These tools assessed various aspects of PFD, including bladder and bowel function, pelvic organ prolapse, and impact on sexual activity.

Results

  • The results from the questionnaires were analyzed for the different groups. Statistical analysis showed no significant variation in PFD symptoms concerning bladder function, bowel function, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual activity between women currently training, past training, and those not practicing horseback riding.
  • The total score for sexually active women also revealed no considerable differences in the levels of PFD symptoms among these groups.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • This study concluded there was no significant difference in PFD symptoms among the women studied, regardless of their participation or lack thereof in horse show jumping.
  • However, considering the limited research on this topic, the authors recommended for further studies, potentially focusing on other equestrian sports and the inclusion of clinical assessments of pelvic floor muscle function.
  • The research undoubtedly contributes to urogynaecology physiotherapy by filling the knowledge gap in the potential effects of physical activities like horse show jumping on PFD.

Cite This Article

APA
Cygańska AK, Giżewska B, Zdunek K. (2025). Evaluating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Female Horse Show Jumpers Using the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire. Med Sci Monit, 31, e946830. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.946830

Publication

Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
ISSN: 1643-3750
NlmUniqueID: 9609063
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 31
Pages: e946830

Researcher Affiliations

Cygańska, Anna Katarzyna
  • Faculty of Rehabilitation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Giżewska, Blanka
  • Faculty of Rehabilitation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Zdunek, Kinga
  • Department of Health Education, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pelvic Floor / physiopathology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Horses
  • Pelvic Floor Disorders / physiopathology
  • Australia
  • Animals
  • Adult
  • Quality of Life
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse / physiopathology
  • Young Adult

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of interest: None declared

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