Medical issues for female athletes returning to competition after childbirth

ABSTRACT

Background

In recent years, the number of athletes who aim to return to competition after childbirth has increased. However, few international reports have investigated complications during pregnancy, and changes in physical function after childbirth in many athletes.

Objective

To conduct a retrospective investigation of medical problems during pregnancy, and postpartum, in female athletes who aim to return to competition after childbirth, and to identify the barriers and facilitators for their return.

Methods

A voluntary web-based survey was aimed at former female athletes who became pregnant with their first child and gave birth during their active sports career. The survey items included respondent background, their exercise activities during and after childbirth, perinatal complications, mode of delivery, symptoms and physical function after childbirth. The participants were divided into a vaginal delivery group and a cesarean section group.

Results

Three hundred and twenty-eight (29.1 ± 5.1 years old) former athletes were included in the analysis, and about half reported undertaking exercise during pregnancy. The most common perinatal complication was anemia (27.4%). The appearance of any symptoms after childbirth, including low back pain (44.2%) and urinary incontinence (39.9%), was reported by 80.5%. The rate of urinary incontinence may be higher in the vaginal delivery than in the cesarean section group (p = 0.05). The most common physical decline after childbirth was in muscular strength, followed by speed and endurance.

Conclusion

Addressing pregnancy-associated anemia and managing low back pain is critical for athletes aiming to return to competition after childbirth. Additionally, interventions to reduce the risk for and treat urinary incontinence are important. In addition, in order to return to competition after childbirth, it is important to strengthen muscles, especially the lower limbs and trunk, as well as to create a training program that takes into account the sport/events.

KEYWORDS:

• Female athletes
• pregnancy
• postpartum
• childbirth

Acknowledgments

We thank the Japan Sport Association, Dr Tomoaki Ikeda, Dr Azusa Sameshima, Dr Naoko Yui, Dr Yukiyo Shimizu, Dr Takako Kuroki, Ms. Mayumi Tayanaka, and Ms. Noriko Omori for their co-operation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Declaration of interset

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors contributors

Nose-Ogura, Dr Nakamura-Kamoto, and Dr Kanatani prepared the questionnaire items; Nose-Ogura prepared the manuscript; the other coauthors (mainly Dr Yoshino) checked and revised the manuscript.

Patient consent

Responding to the survey was taken to be informed consent to participate in the study.

Ethical approval information: This study was conducted with the approval of the Ethics Committee of the University of Tokyo.

Data sharing statement

Data are available from Nose-Ogura upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by the Japan Sports Agency.