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The practice of physical exercise is a modifiable factor for urge urinary incontinence in older women

INTRODUCTION: The literature suggests that some risk factors for urinary incontinence can be modified by a healthy lifestyle; however, little is known about the factors associated with urge urinary incontinence (UUI), whose prevalence increases with age. OBJECTIVE: To examine the modifiable risk factors of UUI in older women. METHOD: The sample consisted of 200 elderly (60 years or older) women with mean age of 69.06 ± 6.26 years. We identified the presence of UUI and behavioral risk factors (consumption of coffee and alcohol, smoking and presence of constipation). Additionally, Domain 4 of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was applied to identify the level of physical activity and body mass index and waist circumference were measured. The data were processed using descriptive and inferential statistics with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The prevalence of UUI in the sample was 15.5%. Among the modifiable factors, only the level of physical activity was associated with the occurrence of UUI, and the physical exercise appeared as a protective factor among very active women (OR = 0.288) and less active (OR = 0.356). CONCLUSION: The symptoms of urgency can be softened by regular physical exercise. A healthy lifestyle can minimize a number of modifiable factors in the genesis of urge urinary incontinence.

physical activity; risk factors; aging


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