Grainne Donnelly | Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor

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Show Notes:

Pelvic floor health has long been overlooked in sports medicine – but that’s changing. In this episode, Lynn sits down with internationally recognized pelvic health physiotherapist and researcher Gráinne Donnelly to discuss her groundbreaking new textbook, Sports Medicine in the Pelvic Floor: Science to Practice. Together, they explore why pelvic health deserves a place in every athlete’s care, how this ambitious project came to life, and the exciting future of research that will shape the next generation of clinicians. If you’re passionate about helping athletes perform at their best, this episode will leave you inspired and thinking differently about the pelvic floor.

In This Episode You’ll Discover:

• Why pelvic floor health should be a routine part of sports medicine – not just pregnancy and postpartum care.
• The surprising research changes how we think about urinary incontinence, load capacity, and athletic performance.
• How psychology, biomechanics, and pelvic health all intersect to improve patient outcomes.
• The importance of individualized assessment when guiding athletes back to sport.
• Why research is essential for moving innovative clinical ideas into mainstream practice.

Clinical Takeaways

• Screen every athlete for pelvic floor symptoms. Pelvic floor screening shouldn’t be reserved for postpartum clients or those with urinary leakage – it’s relevant across all ages, sexes, and athletic populations.
• Think beyond incontinence. Pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses much more than leaking. Pain, pressure, bowel symptoms, sexual function, and performance all deserve consideration during assessment.
• Load capacity matters. Return to sport isn’t determined by a timeline alone. Assess each athlete’s individual capacity, symptom response, and readiness to progressively increase load.
• Sport-specific demands influence risk. Different sports – and even different positions within the same sport – place unique demands on the pelvic floor, requiring individualized clinical reasoning.
• Stay curious and evidence-informed. Emerging research continues to reshape our understanding of pelvic floor biomechanics, anatomy, and rehabilitation. Remaining open to new evidence helps improve patient outcomes.

Why You Should Listen

Whether you treat elite athletes, postpartum moms, or active individuals, this conversation offers fresh perspectives that challenge traditional thinking. Gráinne shares the vision behind creating one of the most comprehensive pelvic health resources available today while Lynn explores how emerging research could transform postpartum rehabilitation. You’ll walk away with new ideas, renewed curiosity, and plenty of inspiration to elevate your own clinical practice.

🎧 Tune in now and discover why the future of sports medicine can’t ignore the pelvic floor.

About Today’s Speaker

Gráinne Donnelly is an Advanced Practice Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, doctoral researcher and international educator based in Northern Ireland. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (JPOGP) and editor of the Elsevier textbook Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor – Science to Practice. Her work bridges research and clinical practice, advancing evidence-based pelvic health care for women in sport and postpartum recovery.

Speaker’s websites: https://absolute.physio/ and https://www.sportsmedicineandthepelvicfloor.com/

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