Project Description

MILES Study : Managing Impact-related Leakage during Exercise with intravaginal Support

STUDY BACKGROUND

More than 30% of females experience urinary incontinence during exercise. For many, urine leakage during exercise can become a barrier to staying active, leading them to modify their exercise routine or avoid triggering activities altogether. The MILES Study is exploring whether accessible, non-invasive products—such as a standard menstrual tampon or a bladder support device (Uresta)—can help reduce urine leakage during running or brisk walking. These strategies may offer immediate, low barrier strategies to help active women self-manage symptoms and stay confidently active. Participants receive the Uresta bladder support kit FREE as part of their participation. The kit includes three sizes in which they will determine which is the best fit prior to running in the lab, with support from a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist.

I want to help you achieve more MILES!

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

  • Females 18 years or older
  • Experience urine leakage while running and/or will leak urine during the lab running protocol (details below)
  • No history of major urogenital surgery or pain with vaginal penetration (e.g., tampons, gynecological exams)
  • Not pregnant or within 6 months postpartum
  • *Additional eligibility criteria will be evaluated via the telephone screening

PARTICIPATION INCLUDES:

  1. Telephone Eligibility Screening (~25 minutes)
  2. Online Baseline Questionnaire (~20 minutes)
  3. Lab Visit 1 (1.5 hours)
  4. Lab Visit 2 (1.5 hours)
  5. Lab visit 3 (1.5 hours)
  6. Online 4-Week Follow-up Questionnaires (~20 minutes)

A LOOK INTO THE LAB VISITS

Participants will attend three lab visits at 200 Lees Avenue in the Faculty of Health Sciences building. Each visit includes a 30-minute standardized treadmill run—once with no device, once using a tampon, and once using a bladder support device. To better understand how these devices may influence the pelvic structures during running, we will take ultrasound images of the bladder and pelvic floor before and after each run. This involves gently placing an ultrasound probe externally at the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus). The procedure is non-invasive and completely safe.

BENEFITS

  • Help advance research on urinary incontinence.
  • Receive a Uresta Bladder Support Kit, value 179 CAD
  • Receive personalized advice from a physiotherapist on pelvic floor health, urinary incontinence, and running upon study completion.

INTERESTED?

Please complete the intake questionnaire HERE to express interest in participating. A researcher will be in contact to schedule the Telephone Eligibility Screening call if you are likely eligible to participate. Alternatively, email the lead researcher, Grace, at with the subject line “Interested in MILES study”.

Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis. The protocol has been reviewed by the University of Ottawa Health Sciences Research Ethics Board for compliance with national standards for ethical conduct of research on humans.

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Linda McLean
MFM Lab, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa