The return to running of female soccer players postpartum: timing, prevalence of pelvic floor disorders and urinary incontinence

INTRODUCTION: The number of elite female athletes suspending competitive athletics for pregnancy and childbirth is increasing significantly. The objective of this manuscript is to investigate in female soccer players the timing of return to running and its main postpartum complications. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: For this review, we searched the PubMed indexed bibliographic database and the football-specific literature for studies relevant to answering the merits of 2 research questions: A) time to return to running postpartum; B) main complications related to return to running postpartum? EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: There is an insufficient literature, identified for the criteria for inclusion, in female soccer players, of points A-B preset in the methods. The literature shows how: A) return to running is recommended, in general, between 6 to 12 weeks after clinical and functional evaluation and on the mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean birth); B) the major complications are related to: 1) pelvic floor dysfunctional pictures; 2) and stress urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: The current research found in the indexed literature underscores knowledge gaps related to the research objectives. There is a lack of consistent evidence-based guidelines for a safe return to running after childbirth. Pelvic floor rehabilitation finds indications through guidelines in the pre and postpartum phases. This finds a primary prescription to reduce the incidence of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic girdle dysfunction.