PELVICÂ FLOOR FIRST
Pelvic Floor First is an initiative of the Continence Foundation of Australia and aims to reduce the number of men and women who experience pelvic floor dysfunction as a result of inappropriate exercise regimes.
Visit the Pelvic Floor First website.
The aim is supported by the following objectives:
strengthen the relationship between the continence and fitness industry
increase awareness of the link between certain types of exercise and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, and
promote pelvic floor safe exercises.
This will support people to remain active without the fear and anxiety related to incontinence.
The primary target audience of the Pelvic Floor First campaign are women and men at increased risk of pelvic floor problems who exercise, play sport or participate in some form of physical activity. These people include:
pregnant women
women who have recently, or ever, had a baby
women who are going through, or have gone through, menopause
women who have undergone gynaecological surgery, and
men who have undergone surgery for prostate cancer.
The secondary target audience of the Pelvic Floor First campaign include:
fitness professionals, and
health professionals (including continence professionals and other health professionals such as midwives, practice nurses, maternal and child health nurses and GPs).
These professionals are ideally placed to raise awareness of this issue, refer clients for help and support, and promote pelvic floor safe exercise.
Keep up to date with the latest news from Pelvic Floor First click here
Click here for resource downloads for exercise and the pelvic floor
A PDF of a brochure produced by the continence foundation of Australia for the fitness industry. You can print it out for your clients or jump on their website www.pelvicfloorfirst.org for other great info and downloads on this very important area. The brochure can be viewed here.
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Online Education
Want to learn more about the pelvic floor?
The Continence Foundation of Australia is excited to announce the launch of “Positive Practice for the Pelvic Floor”, an online CEC course for fitness professionals in partnership with the Australian Fitness Network. For more information and to register visit the Australian Fitness Network website
“I have recently completed both parts of the online Pelvic Floor course through the Australian Fitness Network.
Part 1, Proactive practice explains brilliantly, the links between exercise and the pelvic floor, and gives us an understanding of why pelvic floor safe exercise is important for all women.
Part 2, Proactive planning is a fantastic introduction to pelvic floor safe exercise modification and programming, and how to start bringing the pelvic floor ‘into mind’ for both female exercisers and fitness trainers.
Make sure that you view the accompanying videos, presented by Marietta Mehanni and Shira Kramer. They provide practical advice to begin immediately incorporating the Pelvic Floor First guidelines into exercise programs and classes.
The course and videos also have much to offer those already developing pelvic floor safe exercise programs; I gained new ideas , great cues and very clear facts and explanations, to add to our Safe Exercise programs and support services for women. I know that this course will become an important part of our coaching team’s Safe Exercise professional learning pathway. I urge all fitness professionals to take a look … and do the course! Don’t forget the videos!”
Carol Archer
Women’s Health Fitness Coach
Click here to read Carol Archer’s article “Safe Exercise for Women Inspiring Confidence”