Physical Fitness Assessment during Pregnancy

Romero-Gallard, Lidia; Roldan-Reoyo, Olga; Castro‐Piñero, José; Ocón‐Hernández, Olga; Aparicio, Virginia A; Soriano‐Maldonado, Alberto; Mottola, Michelle F.; May, Linda E.

doi:10.1249/fit.0000000000000805

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…“gold‐standards”) (Docherty, 1996) should be administered to reduce error in assessment. To note, the PF tests were chosen based on current recommendations for PF assessment in pregnant population (Romero‐Gallardo et al, 2022). Finally, our results should be interpreted with caution, since, although we have analysed absolute and relative muscular strength to control the interpretation of confounding parameters, such as changes in body composition during pregnancy (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical fitness and maternal body composition indices during pregnancy and postpartum: the GESTAFIT project

Marín-Jiménez

Flor‐Alemany

García

et al. 2022

European Journal of Sport Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We explored the association of physical fitness (PF) during pregnancy with maternal body composition indices along pregnancy and postpartum period. The study comprised 159 pregnant women (32.9 ± 4.7 years old). Assessments were carried out at the 16th and 34th gestational weeks (g.w.) and six weeks postpartum. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength (absolute and relative values) and flexibility were measured. Body composition indices were obtained by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at postpartum. The results, after adjusting for potential covariates at the 16th g.w., indicated that greater CRF was associated with lower postpartum indices total fat mass, android and gynoid fat mass (all, p < 0.05). Greater absolute upper-body muscular strength was associated with greater pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG); and postpartum indices body weight, BMI, lean mass, fat free mass, fat mass, gynoid fat mass, T-score and Z-score bone mineral density (BMD) (all, p < 0.05). Greater upper-body flexibility was associated with lower pre-pregnancy BMI; and postpartum indices body weight, BMI, lean mass, fat free mass, fat mass, android fat mass and gynoid fat mass, and with greater GWG (all, p < 0.05). At the 34th g.w., greater CRF was additionally associated with greater postpartum T-score and Z-score BMD (both, p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study reveals that greater PF levels, especially during early pregnancy, may promote a better body composition in the postpartum period. Therefore, clinicians and health promoters should encourage women to maintain or improve PF levels from early pregnancy.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical fitness and maternal body composition indices during pregnancy and postpartum: the GESTAFIT project

Marín-Jiménez

Flor‐Alemany

García

et al. 2022

European Journal of Sport Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, the prevalence of physical activity during pregnancy is affected by the maternal age group and educational level [7]. Due to the low prevalence of physical activity in women of reproductive age and the high prevalence of chronic conditions in the prenatal phase, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, it is essential to increase physical activity levels before, during, and after pregnancy [8]. Indeed, less than 15% of women actually fulfill the minimum recommendation of 150 min per week of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity during pregnancy [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to the low prevalence of physical activity in women of reproductive age and the high prevalence of chronic conditions in the prenatal phase, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, it is essential to increase physical activity levels before, during, and after pregnancy [8]. Indeed, less than 15% of women actually fulfill the minimum recommendation of 150 min per week of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity during pregnancy [8]. Women often face barriers to engaging in exercise, which include time constraints, lack of motivation, lack of social support, and lack of resources, among others [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and Involving the Perspective of Pregnant Women as Users When Designing the Framework of e-Health and Exercise Interventions during Pregnancy: Preliminary Study

Santos-Rocha,

Ferreira,

Pimenta

et al. 2024

Healthcare

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Health and exercise technology may promote a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to understand and involve the perspective of pregnant women as users in the design of a framework for future e-health and exercise interventions during pregnancy. Pregnant women replied to a questionnaire aimed at understanding their physical activity patterns, needs, and preferences regarding the use of mobile applications (apps). The main results showed that one-third of the women did not practice any type of exercise during pregnancy. Women preferred to exercise in a gym, outdoors, or at home. The majority already had or were currently using a fitness app, but never used any pregnancy-specific app. Most women agreed that it was important to have a specific app for pregnancy to improve knowledge about recommendations on lifestyle, have direct contact with health and exercise professionals, have social interaction with other mothers, and have guidance on preparation for childbirth and postpartum recovery. Understanding and involving the perspective of pregnant women as users will allow researchers to improve the design of a pregnancy-specific app and future e-health and exercise interventions during pregnancy. These preliminary results will lead to the development of the “active pregnancy app” focused on the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and postpartum.

show abstract

Physical Fitness Assessment during Pregnancy

Cited by 2 publications

References 37 publications

Physical fitness and maternal body composition indices during pregnancy and postpartum: the GESTAFIT project

Physical fitness and maternal body composition indices during pregnancy and postpartum: the GESTAFIT project

Understanding and Involving the Perspective of Pregnant Women as Users When Designing the Framework of e-Health and Exercise Interventions during Pregnancy: Preliminary Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About