What Every Clinician Should Know About Pelvic Health in Sport

Overview

This on-demand course is an introduction to pelvic health in sports physiotherapy - an overview of the issues facing female athletes throughout the lifespan, screening strategies to identify problems and an evidence based overview for solutions.

A few questions that Michelle Lyons will address in her presentation:

• What is the prevalence of pelvic health dysfunction? (and what does that mean?)
• Who is affected?
• Is this just a postnatal issue or are nulliparous athletes affected?
• Is REDs a driver?
• How can sports/msk clinicians screen for this?
• Does every athlete need an internal exam to determine the dysfunction—and what does the evidence say?

The course explores pelvic health from menstrual, maternal, and perimenopausal perspectives, highlighting how these factors can influence sport and exercise participation. Michelle will also discuss how to approach these conversations with sensitivity and provide practical guidance on addressing pelvic health concerns in active populations.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the prevalence of pelvic health issues facing athletes, including bladder, bowel, menstrual and pelvic pain
2. Review the current evidence for screening for pelvic health issues in female athletes, through a biopsychosocial lens
3. Possess and understanding of a whole systems approach for female athlete wellness, that includes pelvic health

Audience

This course is designed for musculoskeletal physiotherapists and all clinicians who work with active women and female athletes—from recreational exercisers to elite competitors.

It will be especially valuable for:

• Sports physiotherapists and athletic therapists seeking to integrate pelvic health into performance and injury prevention.

• Pelvic health physiotherapists interested in expanding their understanding of sport-specific demands.

• Clinicians in orthopaedics, women’s health, and exercise science who want to better support female patients through all life stages—menstrual, maternal, and perimenopausal.

• Trainers, coaches, and other movement professionals looking to identify when referral to a pelvic health specialist may be appropriate.

No prior experience in pelvic health is required—just curiosity and a commitment to improving care for active women.