Description

Objectives:

To examine contributory factors behind postpartum return-to-running and return to pre-pregnancy running level, in addition to risk factors for postpartum running-related stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods:

881 postpartum women completed an online questionnaire. Clinically and empirically derived questions were created relating to running experiences and multidisciplinary, biopsychosocial contributory factors. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors for return-to-running, returning to pre-pregnancy level of running and running-related SUI.

Conclusion:

Running during pregnancy may assist women safely return-to-running postpartum. Fear of movement, the sensation of vaginal heaviness and running-related SUI before or during pregnancy should be addressed early by healthcare providers.