Pelvic floor muscle exercises, commonly called Kegel exercises, are a non-invasive treatment for female pelvic floor disorders. However, many women find it difficult to perform these exercises regularly.

A recent study looked at whether women who are more physically active are also more likely to practice pelvic floor muscle exercises.

What Did the Researchers Study?

The researchers surveyed 1,720 women through a national online volunteer registry. Participants answered questions about:

• Their usual level of physical activity
• How often they performed pelvic floor muscle exercises
• Their urinary symptoms
• Personal characteristics such as age, race, ethnicity and insurance status

Based on their answers, the women were placed into low-, moderate- or high-activity groups. Almost half were in the low-activity group, while approximately one-quarter were in each of the moderate- and high-activity groups.

What Did the Study Find?

Women in the high-activity group were more likely to report performing pelvic floor exercises several times a month or more:

• 17% of women with high activity
• 10.7% of women with moderate activity
• 12% of women with low activity

Although regular pelvic floor exercise was more common among highly active women, it was still uncommon overall. Even in the most active group, fewer than one in five women reported doing the exercises several times a month or more.

Why Were Women Doing Pelvic Floor Exercises?

The most frequently reported reasons were:

• To improve sexual function
• To prevent a future pelvic floor problem
• Because a healthcare professional recommended the exercises after childbirth

Among women who explained why they did not perform the exercises, those in the low- and moderate-activity groups were more likely to describe a lack of motivation than women in the high-activity group.

What Does This Mean for Patients?

The results suggest that women who already have an active lifestyle may find it easier to include pelvic floor exercises in their regular routines. Motivation, confidence and established exercise habits may all play a role.

One practical approach may be to connect pelvic floor exercises with an activity that is already part of your routine. For example, some people may find it easier to remember them before or after another planned activity. The researchers suggested that programs designed to increase pelvic floor exercise participation may benefit from addressing motivation, self-confidence and general physical activity.

Important Limitations

This was a cross-sectional survey, meaning the researchers collected information at one point in time. The study can show a relationship between physical activity and pelvic floor exercise habits, but it cannot prove that becoming more physically active will cause someone to perform more pelvic floor exercises.

The information was also self-reported, so the researchers could not confirm how accurately or effectively participants performed the exercises. Insurance status was linked with exercise frequency in the statistical analysis, but the researchers noted that this finding needs further study.

The Bottom Line

Women with higher overall physical activity were more likely to report practicing pelvic floor muscle exercises regularly. However, regular participation was low in every activity group.

The study highlights an important message: knowing about pelvic floor exercises may not be enough. Making them part of an established routine and addressing barriers such as motivation may help more women practice them consistently.

This article is for general education and does not replace individual medical advice. Ask a qualified healthcare professional whether pelvic floor muscle exercises are appropriate for you and how to perform them correctly.

Study source: Gan ZS, Newman DK and Smith AL. “Cross-sectional survey assessment of physical activity level and frequency of performing pelvic floor muscle exercises.” Continence. 2023;7:100715. DOI: 10.1016/j.cont.2023.100715.