How does lifting affect your pelvic floor?

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Your pelvic floor muscles are part of your deep core muscles consisting of: Transverse Abdominis, multifidus on your back, pelvic floor and diaphragm. Pelvic floor functions to stabilize the bottom of your “core canister” Any increase in pressure to the canister (from holding your breath, straining, or even just lifting a heavy load) creates forces for your pelvic floor to control. Urine, gas or bowel leakage with lifting generally is a signal that your pelvic floor muscles are not working optimally. Some problems could be: 

• ​Weakness- This is most common. The pelvic floor muscles are not strong enough to combat the increased pressure/load on them. For athletes that have had a baby, injury or surgery, this is the most likely cause of their leakage
• Lack of coordination- some people have strong muscles, but they may not be turning on or off at the right times during exercise to prevent leakage
• Tightness- Muscles that don’t relax well can’t be strong if they exist in a shortened position. For many active individuals (especially those that also have pelvic pain) the main issue is that their muscles must learn to fully relax before they are able to get stronger

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