Adapted Physical Activity Based On Trunk Stabilization And Pelvic Floor Education For Female Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic floor disorders affect a substantial proportion of women worldwide and represent a significant public health concern due to their impact on physical function, quality of life, and psychosocial well-being. Growing interest has emerged in physical activity programs for pelvic floor disorders as a noninvasive and accessible intervention strategy. This study aims to evaluate the effect of an intervention combining a weekly Adapted Physical Activity (APA) session focused on trunk stabilization and a monthly pelvic floor education session over a three-month period to improve self-reported pelvic floor symptoms. The secondary objectives are to investigate the effects of this intervention on quality of life, pelvic floor knowledge, stigma, care-seeking behavior, and physical activity behavior. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups for 3 months: (1) intervention APA + education or (2) waitlist. Participants in the waitlist group will receive the intervention three months after the program's launch. This study could help provide additional data to improve education of the pelvic floor and care seeking, as well as to better understand the effect of physical activity for pelvic floor disorders.

Inclusion Criteria: * Women over 18 years old * At least one symptom associated with a pelvic floor disorder (urinary or faecal incontinence, a feeling of heaviness or bulging in the genital area, difficulty passing stools) which causes bother (ranging from mild to severe) * Not already undergoing pelvic floor rehabilitation with a professional (physiotherapist or midwife) * No major mobility limitations such as being unable to get up from a supine to standing position unassisted * Proficient in reading, writing and speaking French * Not pregnant * BMI below 40 * Regardless of hormonal status (natural cycle, contraceptive pill, menopause) Exclusion Criteria: * Scheduled surgery during the study * Postpartum (less than 3 months) * Pelvic surgery in the past 3 months * Current urinary tract infection or haematuria * Current pelvic cancer or radiation, Interstitial cystitis * Congenital defect leading to pelvic floor disorders