Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor

While developments in the focus of female athlete health have progressed, specific focus on the pelvic floor in sports medicine is lacking. Yet pelvic floor dysfunction has significant implications for athlete engagement, performance, and wellbeing. Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor: Science to Practice addresses a traditionally unspoken about topic, riddled with taboo, and uncovers the evidence informed insights into the role and function of the pelvic floor and its relevance for consideration in the same way as sports medicine considers all other regions of the body. The book addresses the pelvic floor - what it is, how it functions, and what can go wrong. It covers what to do when an athlete presents with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and how to support athletes in sport, helping manage/alleviate symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, with the goal of maintaining or returning the athlete to sport while safeguarding their long term pelvic health. Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor: Science to Practice identifies key gaps to inform future studies for researchers and guides clinicans on how to screen, treat and rehabilitate an athlete. Written by both clinicans and researchers in the field for anyone working with or treating female athletes.

• Provides an overview of the pelvic floor muscles, anatomy and function
• Covers the often overlooked pelvic floor dysfunction
• Includes case examples across various sports