Author(s): KILIÇ, B., DINÇER, S., Institution: BIRUNI UNIVERSITY, Country: TURKEY, Abstract-ID: 1879

INTRODUCTION:
Lumbopelvic stability plays a critical role in enhancing and optimizing performance in overhead athletes. Although a strong core musculature is known to contribute to improved lumbopelvic stability, the role of pelvic floor muscles—which form the base of the core system—has been insufficiently investigated in this population. Studies examining the impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on lower extremity performance in overhead athletes are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pelvic floor dysfunction and lower extremity performance in female volleyball players.
METHODS:
A total of 23 professional female volleyball players (mean age: 20.00 ± 4.23 years; mean BMI: 21.04 ± 2.33 kg/m²; sports participation: 10.30 ± 5.19) participated in this study. Pelvic floor dysfunction was assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory–20 (PFDI-20). Lower extremity performance was evaluated with the countermovement jump test (Zıpzıp Jump System, Türkiye) and the single-leg hop test. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y Balance Test, and static balance was evaluated with the Performanz Balance System, Türkiye. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
RESULTS:
According to Spearman correlation analysis, PFDI-20 total scores were significantly and negatively correlated with dominant posteromedial reach distance (r = -0.550, p = 0.007), non-dominant anterior (r = -0.494, p = 0.017), non-dominant posteromedial (r = -0.490, p = 0.018), and non-dominant posterolateral reach distances (r = -0.462, p = 0.026). No significant correlations were found with other performance parameters (p > 0.05). Given the consistent findings in the non-dominant directions, a non-dominant mean score was calculated as the average of anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach distances. Bootstrapped linear regression showed that PFDI-20 significantly predicted non-dominant dynamic balance (β = -0.50, 95% CI [-0.78, -0.18], p = 0.008; R² = 0.25) and dominant posteromedial reach distance (β = -0.55, 95% CI [-0.83, -0.21], p = 0.005; R² = 0.30). Higher pelvic floor dysfunction severity was associated with poorer dynamic balance performance.
CONCLUSION:
Greater pelvic floor dysfunction severity was associated with poorer dynamic balance performance in female volleyball players. As pelvic floor dysfunction may reflect pelvic floor muscle weakness or impaired neuromuscular function, it may negatively influence lumbopelvic stability and, consequently, dynamic balance performance—particularly in the non-dominant limb. These findings suggest that pelvic floor muscle function may contribute to lower extremity performance in overhead athletes and highlight the potential importance of including pelvic floor assessment in performance evaluations.