Staying active and flexible during and after pregnancy deter the occurrence of preeclampsia (1), severe musculoskeletal
complication (2) and gestational diabetes. It also aids in the recovery from childbirth and postpartum weight maintenance.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises pregnant women to engage in regular, moderate
intensity physical activity. That means approximately 30 minutes of moderate exercise such as a daily brisk walk or cycling.
Terry Leet, Ph.D., a study author with Petersen et al, reported in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Journal, said that women who are pregnant should exercise unless advised otherwise by their doctor due to complications observed
during their pregnancy. Women should start an exercise program during pregnancy with moderate, non-weight-bearing activities,
such as cycling, brisk walking or swimming. Those who exercised prior to pregnancy should avoid activities that may
cause abdominal distress such as contact sports and scuba diving, but should continue to exercise.
A study reported
by Borodulin et al. (2008) included 1,482 women, of which 71.6% were white, 17.3% African American and 11.1% other. Most of
the women self-reported some physical activity during the second (96.5%) and third (93.9%) trimester. Physical activity
consisted of household indoor-related activities, recreational activities and care-related responsibilities. Volume and level
of exercise intensity decreased between the second and third trimester.
Pregnant women who meet the moderate to
vigorous physical activity recommendations of the ACOG were more likely to be more educated, non-Hispanic white, younger,
not married, of higher incomes, and non-smokers. Those coming from a lower socioeconomic status and smoked were less
likely to meet the physical activity recommendations during pregnancy. However, majority of the women did not reach
the activity recommendations set by the ACOG.
Exercise seems to be losing its appeal among the general population.
Non-pregnant women who exercised at least three times a week declined to 14% in 2000 from 17% in 1996. Pregnant women who
exercised at least three times a week declined from 9% in 1994 to 6% in 2000. Also, women who did not exercise when they were
not pregnant were less likely to start exercising regularly when they got pregnant.
According to Dr. Raul Artal
of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, obstetricians are hesitant to recommend exercise to pregnant women.
He believes that it is rooted in the old-fashioned notions of pregnancy as a time of rest and accouchement.
Fitness
professionals, physicians and personal trainers should educate pregnant students and clients of the benefits of remaining
physical activity during pregnancy. They should point out to pregnant patients that the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists has embraced the Center for Disease Control exercise guidelines. This guidelines states that every
pregnant woman with uncomplicated pregnancies and who does not have a medical history or a history of obstetric complications
should get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day for most days of the week.
References:
Borodulin, K.M., Evenson, K.R., Wen, F., Herring, A.H., and Benson, A.M. (2008). Physical activity patterns during pregnancy.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 40(11), 1901-1908.
Petersen et al, Correlate of Physical Activity among
Pregnant Women in the United States, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise; Nov. 2005; p.1748-1753.
Definition
of some terms:
1) Preeclampsia - abnormal state of pregnancy identified by fluid retention and hypertension
2) Musculoskeletal
complications � pain in the pelvis, back and weakness of the lower extremities.
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