Impacto da prática do ciclismo e do crossfit na função sexual de mulheres

Abstract

Introduction: The pelvic floor muscles have the function of supporting the pelvic organs, maintaining the continence of sphincters for the lower urinary and anorectal tract, and as an effector in the sexual arousal response. The effects of physical activity have been associated with pelvic floor dysfunction. Objective: to evaluate the impact of cycling and Crossfit on women's sexual function. Methodology: It is a crosssectional, descriptive and quantitative study, carried out in the national territory, initiated after approval by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP), with recruitment through a link to access the research form via Google Forms. The sample was nonprobabilistic, for convenience. Being included: Physically active women, who practice Crossfit or cycling for more than three months with a minimum frequency of 2 times a week; age above 18 years; access to a computer or smartphone with an internet connection; know how to read and interpret the text. Being excluded: who were in the gestational period, puerperal, who had a history of twin pregnancy and/or pelvic/gynecological diseases; previous gynecological surgery; performing hormone replacement therapy; had referred chronic cough; underwent treatment for urinary incontinence; refused to complete the entire evaluation protocol; refused to sign the TCLE. Questionnaires were applied to assess the level of physical activity, sexual function, and intensity of the discomfort of the DMAP through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI 20) . Results: 143 women participated in the survey, 32 Crossfit practitioners, 32 cyclists and 32 physically active, with a sample power of 79%. All groups had worse sexual function, 81.2% of the Crossfit and Cycling group and 65.6 % in the control group, with the satisfaction domain being the most affected in all groups (G1 = 2.52±0.78; G2 = 2.53±0.92; GC = 2.78±1.26). There was a difference between the groups in the FSFI - Desire domain (p = 0.048), with the Crossfit group presenting worse function than the control group (p=0.014). And a difference in the FSFI–Pain domain (p=0.017), in which the Control Group showed greater impairment in this domain when compared to the Crossfit Group (p=0.033) and Cyclists (p=0.007). Conclusion: All groups of women had worse sexual function. Crossfit has an impact on sexual desire and physically active women have more pain when compared to cycling and crossfit practitioners.