Exercise Testing and Prescription in Pregnancy

Santos-Rocha, Rita; Gutiérrez, Isabel Corrales; Szumilewicz, Anna; Pajaujienė, Simona

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-06137-0_8

Cited by 7 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 131 publications

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“…As the results of our study showed, less than half of the women surveyed had a healthy lifestyle before becoming pregnant, and respondents with more education were more aware of the importance of this factor, including regular exercise. For most pregnant women, engaging in moderate-intensity PA has few risks but many health benefits, including a reduced risk of gestational diabetes and postpartum depression ( 14 ). The results of a survey of a population of Polish women by Szatko et al ( 43 ) show that a total of 92.5% of women were aware of the beneficial effects of PA on the course of an uncomplicated pregnancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effects of exercise during pregnancy may be a beneficial approach to alleviating prenatal depression and promoting the overall well-being of both mothers and their unborn children. Before starting any exercise regimen, pregnant women should see a health professional for personalized advice and professional information support ( 14 ). Given the proven protective properties of physical activity in this area, it is worth increasing the promotion of physical activity for this reason alone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is immensely gratifying to see the new recommendations published by PTGiP ( 13 ). PTGiP and PTMS (Polish Society of Sports Medicine) have created detailed guidelines for doctors, midwives, coaches, and physiotherapists regarding recommended PA for women, including those with various dysfunctions and pregnancy-related contraindications, based on the latest recommendations of international institutions and Evidence-Based Guidelines ( 14 ). Recommended activities include endurance, resistance, stretching exercises, neuromotor exercise training, and pelvic floor training for previously inactive and active women, broken down by age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physical activity promotion among pregnancy – the role of physician from the women’s perspective

Laudańska-Krzemińska,

Krzysztoszek

2024

Front. Public Health

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ObjectiveThe clear benefits of planned and supervised physical activity (PA) during pregnancy make it imperative that women are encouraged and educated about this activity. This study aimed to investigate how effectively physician promote physical activity and exercise among pregnant women. It also examines pro-health changes in selected health behaviours during pregnancy.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited a total of 353 pregnant women in Wielkopolskie Voivodship in Poland. An anonymous survey (on-line or in-paper) was used to assess physical activity before and during pregnancy (with Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire), physical activity self-efficacy, well-being (WHO-5 Well-Being Index), and guidance received from physicians on physical activity during pregnancy.ResultsOnly 41% of women surveyed followed WHO recommendations for PA before pregnancy, and they were much more likely to discuss safety and the need to change the intensity or type of PA with their doctor or gynaecologist. Only 23% of women were asked about their PA before pregnancy and less than 40% were encouraged to be active during pregnancy. We observed a higher probability of poor well-being among pregnant women who were inactive before pregnancy (OR = 1.873, 95%CI 1.026 to 3.421, p = 0.041).ConclusionHealth professionals infrequently educate and motivate women to be physically active during pregnancy. Physician advice, as it is currently perceived by women, seems to be insufficient to help pregnant women meet the recommendations for PA during pregnancy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physical activity promotion among pregnancy – the role of physician from the women’s perspective

Laudańska-Krzemińska,

Krzysztoszek

2024

Front. Public Health

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“…Women did not need any equipment during exercises and only resistance of own body was applied. Women were able to participate in the training program regardless of their level of fitness or exercise capacity, as well as the level of motor skills (based on the diagnostic exercise tests, the exercise program was tailored to the individual needs and capabilities of a woman ( 50 , 51 )).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress is not so bad—cortisol level and psychological functioning after 8-week HIIT program during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Wilczyńska,

Walczak-Kozłowska,

Santos-Rocha

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundAmid extensive pregnancy exercise research, the impact of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on pregnant women’s mental health is underexplored. Despite exercise benefits, it can trigger stress responses like elevated cortisol. This study fills the gap by investigating correlations between hair cortisol levels, mental health, and HIIT effects in pregnant women.MethodsWe conducted a randomized control trial among 38 Caucasian women in uncomplicated, singleton pregnancy (age 31.11 ± 4.03 years, 21.82 ± 4.30 week of gestation; mean ± SD). The experimental group comprised 22 women engaged in an 8-week high-intensity interval training program (HIIT). The comparative group consisted of 16 pregnant women undergoing an 8-week educational program (EDU). Before and after the interventions, all women were evaluated using the following tools: Hair cortisol level measurements, Beck Depression Inventory – II for depressive symptoms assessment, Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire for childbirth fear measurement, 12-item Short Form Health Survey to gage health-related quality of life, International Physical Activity Questionnaire for physical activity level estimation, and a Progressive maximal exercise test to evaluate maternal exercise capacity.ResultsThe key finding of our study reveals that women engaged in the HIIT intervention exhibited a distinct cortisol production pattern in contrast to the EDU group practicing standard moderate intensity physical activity. In the HIIT group, there was an increase in hair cortisol levels, while the EDU group showed a notable decrease. Remarkably, HIIT stimulated cortisol production without adversely impacting fear of childbirth and psychophysical condition during pregnancy. In fact, only the HIIT group showed a significant enhancement in mental health.ConclusionNo links were discovered between hair cortisol levels and the severity of depressive symptoms, psychophysical well-being, or fear of childbirth. Hence, based on our research, employing cortisol levels during pregnancy as an indicator of negative stress or depression risk appears unwarranted.

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“…To determine the intensity of physical activity, it would be reasonable to use standardized fitness tests (e.g., to establish maximal exercise capacity through the maximal oxygen uptake and maximum heart rate values). Then, the use of heart rate monitors would allow for proper continuous monitoring of the intensity of physical activity [54]. It would also be useful to assess the impact of maternal exercise on the blood pressure values recorded in the pregnancy chart and the pattern of physical activity in the postpartum period (including the time of return to prepregnancy weight).…”

Section: Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Maternal Exercise Affect Birth and Neonatal Outcomes—A Cross Sectional Study

Szablewska,

Wierzba,

Santos-Rocha

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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There has been a dramatic worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity or overweight and physical inactivity in women of reproductive age. Growing evidence suggests that pre-pregnancy maternal abnormal body mass index (BMI) and lower physical activity level are associated with poor maternal health and perinatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess how self-perceived exercise and pre-pregnancy BMI are associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and type of birth. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 394 Polish women in the postpartum period. We used a questionnaire with the structure of the medical interview. To analyze factors related to birth outcomes, we used the Pearson’s Chi-squared test of independence and odds ratio (OR), with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), followed by a multiple logistic regression. Women who reported being physically active before pregnancy (p = 0.00) and during pregnancy (p = 0.03) were more likely to give birth on time and had a lower incidence of very-premature and extremely premature births compared to inactive women. Importantly, they were more likely to have vaginal birth (p = 0.03). Pre-pregnancy BMI influenced the week of delivery, i.e., inadequate, too-high BMI contributed to an increase in the percentage of premature births [OR (95% CI) = 1.19 (1.06; 1.34)]. The findings indicate that promoting physical activity and weight management remains a priority in public health policy, and women of childbearing age should be encouraged to adopt or maintain an active and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy in order to avoid sedentary- and obesity-associated risks affecting birth and newborns’ health.

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Exercise Testing and Prescription in Pregnancy

Cited by 7 publications

References 131 publications

Physical activity promotion among pregnancy – the role of physician from the women’s perspective

Physical activity promotion among pregnancy – the role of physician from the women’s perspective

Stress is not so bad—cortisol level and psychological functioning after 8-week HIIT program during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Can Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Maternal Exercise Affect Birth and Neonatal Outcomes—A Cross Sectional Study

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