As World Continence Week begins, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has heavily criticised a video produced by the Reebok CrossFit Games competition titled ‘Do you pee during workouts?’
The video producers interview women at CrossFit competitions about what they term ‘EIUL’ or exercised induced urinary leakage. The video shows women losing bladder control during competition, and sends the message that this is normal, and even something to be proud of. This message flies in the face of research supporting rehabilitation for the pelvic floor and it puts women at risk of bladder problems, loss of bowel control, and prolapse of the pelvic organs.
‘The video is shocking, disturbing, and normalises this debilitating condition. It is not normal to lose urine during exercise or at any other time and it should certainly not be seen as a “badge of honour”,’ said Specialist Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapist Shan Morrison. ‘For a company that prides itself on promoting exercise, CrossFit Inc is not sending a positive health message.’
Incontinence is a serious health issue facing almost five million Australians. The correct term for loss of control of urine during situations such as exercising, coughing and sneezing, is stress urinary incontinence (SUI).