Neural Injury Model

Abstract

Urinary incontinence (UI) is usually a concern amongst women after child birth, however it has been discovered that it is also prevalent amongst young nulliparous women that are athletes. Through another UROP student, it was discovered that 50% of the women athletes at the University of Minnesota currently have urinary leakage problems. Research has suggested a correlation between the amount of physical activity and the severity of symptoms. However, it has not yet been proven what mechanism that causes this urinary incontinence in women athletes. It has been hypothesized that nerve compression is the contributing factor. Through past research it has been found that applied pressure on peripheral nerves causes damage and results in atypical functioning. The projects goal is to research the effects of compression on the functional status of peripheral nerves in terms of conduction velocity. I will be specifically experimenting with compression on sensory nerves and identifying if there is a variance between damaged sensory and motor nerve velocities.