Physical activity and urinary incontinence among healthy, older women.

Increase in the level of physical activity may help to put middle-aged and older women in a better position to avoid suffering urinary incontinence.

​This study assessed how physical activity influences the probability of middle-aged and older women experiencing urinary incontinence (UI). Researchers analyzed the lifestyle and incidence rates of self-reported urinary incontinence in more than 2,300 US women aged 54-79 years who were recruited from the Nurses' Health Study. 

Researchers noted engaging in physically activity consistently resulted in lower risk of urinary incontinence in the study population. A 26% decrease in the risk of urinary incontinence was found among women who did a lot of walking regularly. This study concluded that "physical activity was associated with a significant reduction in UI."