Comparison of First Childbirth Characteristics between Elite Judo Athletes and Non-Athletes: The Preliminary Retrospective Case–Control Study

Anna Kuczera, Agnieszka Opala-Berdzik (), Jitka Malá, Marcin Sodowski and Daria Chmielewska
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Anna Kuczera: Students Scientific Association on the Analysis of the Influence of Pregnancy on the Musculoskeletal System, Physiotherapy Faculty, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland
Agnieszka Opala-Berdzik: Department of Physiotherapy in Internal Diseases, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland
Jitka Malá: Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, 121 08 Prague, Czech Republic
Marcin Sodowski: Gynecology and Obstetrics Ward, City Hospital in Siemianowice Śląskie, 41-100 Siemianowice Slaskie, Poland
Daria Chmielewska: Electromyography and Pelvic Floor Muscles Laboratory, Department of Physical Medicine, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: It has been speculated that elite athletes are more likely to have obstetric interventions during labor and delivery. So far, the impact of many years of competitive sports participation on childbirth characteristics has not been well-established. This preliminary retrospective case–control study aimed to determine whether the first labors of elite judo competitors required obstetric interventions more frequently and were longer than those of non-athletes. The study comprised 32 parous women: 16 elite judo athletes and 16 non-athletes. Women were included if they had access to the following obstetric data (from their first childbirth hospital discharge reports and/or first child’s health record books): induction and augmentation of labor, mode of delivery, the duration of labor and its second stage, episiotomy, perineal tear, and the neonate’s Apgar score. Electronic surveys were completed concerning childbirth characteristics, level of “eliteness” (judo athletes), and recreational physical activity (non-athletes). The statistical analysis showed no significant between-group differences in any of the first childbirth outcomes under analysis. The preliminary results indicate elite judo practice before first pregnancy had no negative impact on the rates of labor induction and augmentation, delivery mode, duration of labor, the rates of episiotomy and perineal tear, and the neonate’s Apgar score. Due to the small sample size, the conclusions should be considered with caution.

Keywords: elite judo athlete; childbirth outcomes; labor; delivery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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