A DIFFERENT KIND OF MARATHON TRAINING

●      Running can have a notable impact on the pelvic floor muscles, causing pain or leaks – research has found that 58% of women experience stress incontinence.

●      Intimate wellbeing brand is offering free Kegel training devices (KegelSmart™ 2) to runners who participated in the London, Brighton, or Manchester marathons – the device aids in strengthening pelvic floor muscles by using vibrating pulses to guide the user through a unique Kegel training program

●      Dr Susanna Unsworth, gynaecology expert for INTIMINA, offers comment.

●      Runners can register their interest by emailing intimina@thisiscow.com (while stocks last!)

Marathon season is well underway, and running for 26.2 miles is no small feat. Running is an intense sport that has all kinds of impacts on the body, and one area that should not be ignored is the pelvic floor. Specific exercises can strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, keeping any issues at bay so the focus can remain on the run time, making it across the finish line, or just having fun.

Whether a seasoned marathoner or a first-time racer, completing a marathon is a big achievement. To celebrate this and empower women throughout the final stretch of training as well as the marathon day itself, intimate wellbeing brand INTIMINA is giving away free KegelSmart™ 2 devices to runners.

As the brand’s best-selling product, the KegelSmart™ 2 aids in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles by using vibrating pulses to guide the user through a series of exercises. They are available to claim to those who ran the London, Brighton and Manchester marathons (while stocks last) – register interest by emailing intimina@thisiscow.com.

So how does running specifically impact the pelvic floor? Dr Susanna Unsworth, women’s health expert for INTIMINA, says, “Running causes an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. As a result, it can put strain on the pelvic floor. Throughout the process of running, your pelvic floor is constantly engaged to provide support to the organs in the pelvis. Therefore, if there is any underlying weakness in the pelvic floor, the resulting symptoms can potentially be exacerbated by running”.

However, “if your pelvic floor is in good shape, running can potentially continue to improve it”.

“If you are someone who enjoys running regularly, it would be worth getting advice on appropriate pelvic floor exercises/training to reduce the risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction issues.”

Like any training regime, the key to pelvic floor exercises is consistency: “It is important to perform regular and effective pelvic-floor exercises”, says Dr Unsworth. “Seeking advice from a women’s health physiotherapist can be really helpful”.

“If symptoms of the pelvic floor are significant, you may need to adapt your running whilst your pelvic floor strength improves” she continues. “Advice such as avoiding running on hard surfaces, reducing speed and distance, ensuring footwear is well supported and avoiding too much down-hill running can make a difference”.

The KegelSmart™ 2 is the only smart pelvic coach in the world that can register strength, contraction length and reaction time – perfect for beginners and experts alike. Brighton, Manchester, and London marathon runners can register their interest to win a free device (while supplies lasts) by emailing intimina@thisiscow.com

To learn more about pelvic floor health, visit www.intimina.com