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Assessing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women Practising Competitive Judo

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Saulicz, A., Saulicz, M. & Saulicz, E. Assessing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women Practising Competitive Judo: Findings from a Cross-sectional Study. Int Urogynecol J (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-026-06523-9

ABSTRACT
Introduction and Hypothesis High impact physical activity (PA) in sportswomen is a risk factor for the development of stressinduced urinary incontinence and potentially for other dysfunctions of the pelvic foor. This study was aimed at assessing the occurrence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in professional female judo practitioners.
Methods This observational, cross-sectional study included a total of 88 women practising professional judo and 88 women practising other sports disciplines. Participants completed Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (CLSS) questionnaire to assess the condition of the lower urinary tract, along with sport-related data questionnaires and self-reported anthropometric measures.
Results Among 19.31% of women practising judo no LUTS were recorded and the majority of the remaining judo athletes (67.6%) indicated the occurrence of one or two symptoms. Urgency was the most common symptom (40.9%). Six of the 10 analysed LUTS were statistically signifcantly less frequent in female judo athletes and the average number of LUTS was statistically signifcantly lower in this group (95% CI 1.67–2.48 vs 2.9–3.94; p<0.001). Severity of three symptoms (nocturia, incomplete emptying of the bladder and urethral pain) was statistically signifcantly lower in women practising judo and their overall CLSS score was statistically signifcantly lower (95% CI 1.96–3.1 vs 3.9–5.68; p<0.001). These athletes were also more satisfed with the level of acceptance of the CLSS condition (95% CI 0.67–1.18 vs 1.19–1.84; p<0.01).
Conclusions Compared to other disciplines, competitive judo is not a risk factor for increased LUTS; therefore, the level of health satisfaction with the condition of the lower urinary tract in women practising judo is high.
Keywords Judo · Lower urinary tract symptoms · Pelvic foor

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