Pelvic prolapse and urinary incontinence in nulliparous college women in relation to paratrooper training.

The objective of this study was to determine whether paratrooper training is associated with pelvic support defects or urinary incontinence. Nulliparous women at The United States Military Academy were examined using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System and completed a questionnaire regarding incontinence and exercise prior to undergoing summer military training. The exam and questionnaire were repeated following training. One hundred sixteen women completed the study (80.6%), 37 of whom had attended paratrooper training. Women who attended paratrooper training were significantly more likely to have stage II prolapse (RR=2.72, 1.37<RR<5.40; p=0.003). Additionally, women who attended paratrooper training were significantly more likely to have worsening in their pelvic support regardless of initial prolapse stage (RR=1.57, 1.12<RR<2.20; p=0.01). Twenty-four women complained of urinary incontinence; however, this was not associated with paratrooper training. The forces transmitted to the female pelvis during paratrooper training are significant and cause pelvic support defects.