Static Postural Stability in Women during and after Pregnancy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract

This longitudinal study aimed to compare static postural stability in women between early pregnancy, advanced pregnancy, and at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Forty-five pregnant women were enrolled and 31 completed the protocol. Data were collected at 7–16 and 34–39 weeks gestation, and at 6–10 and 26–30 weeks postpartum. For each subject, the center of foot pressure path length and mean velocity (with directional subcomponents) were computed from 30-s long quiet-standing trials on a stationary force plate with eyes open or closed. The body mass, stance width, and sleep duration within 24 h before testing were also recorded. Static postural stability was not different between pregnancy and postpartum, except for the anterior posterior sway tested in the eyes-closed condition, which was significantly increased in late pregnancy compared to that at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Pregnant/postpartum women’s body mass weakly positively correlated with anterior-posterior sway in the eyes-closed condition and their stance width weakly positively correlated with the anterior-posterior sway in the eyes-open condition. No effect of sleep duration on postural sway was found. Our findings indicate that under visual deprivation conditions women in advanced pregnancy may have decreased static stability compared to their non-pregnant state.

Directional Measures of Postural Sway Applied to the Diagnostic of Postural Stability in the Population of Adult Women with Different Body Mass Index

“…Thus it depends on both the quality of the neuromuscular control and body anthropometry, its height, and weight [13,28,29]. Simplifying the control of human posture to a single-link inverted pendulum model, its stability is also dependent on body mass distribution [2], which in obese individuals may lower the COM position and additionally, the size of the support surface [26,30].…”

Changes in trunk posture and muscle responses in standing during pregnancy and postpartum

“…From the second trimester, abdominal morphology is altered by the increased size of the uterus and the weight of the foetus, with a 30% increase in abdominal mass [ 4 ]. The increased size of the abdomen has been linked to a decreased static stability [ 5 ] and adaptive changes in spinal curvatures, which would compensate the anterior displacement of the centre of gravity, to ensure postural balance. Postural alterations most frequently mentioned in the literature are increased lumbar curvature, pelvic anteversion [ 6 – 8 ], increased thoracic curvature [ 8 ], increased cervical curvature, protraction of the shoulder girdle, hyperextended knees [ 9 ], and extension of the ankles [ 10 ].…”

Papel da Fisioterapia em Obstetrícia: avaliação do nível de conhecimento por parte dos médicos e equipe de enfermagem, gestantes e puérperas da rede pública de Barueri/SP

“…A atuação do fisioterapeuta no período gestacional e no puerpério visa promover a prevenção de complicações, desconfortos e disfunções musculoesqueléticas e uroginecológicas; alívio das dores; orientação postural e percepção corporal; preparação para o parto; realização de exercícios físicos e respiratórios; orientações para amamentação, atividades de vida diária (AVDs) e promoção de qualidade de vida [5][6][7][8] . Um estudo realizado por Burti et al 4 aplicou um protocolo de exercícios fisioterapêuticos no atendimento ao puerpério imediato e demonstrou que a fisioterapia foi eficaz para alivio da dor e do bem-estar geral das puérperas.…”