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[Recommendations for Physical Activity During and After Pregnancy]
Nina Ferrari1, Christine Graf2
1Kölner Zentrum für Prävention im Kindes- und Jugendalter, Herzzentrum Uniklinik Köln, Köln.
Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband Der Arzte Des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))
|April 12, 2017
Summary
German guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy are lacking. Healthy pregnant women should aim for 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise weekly for maternal and child health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Regular physical activity during and after pregnancy offers significant health benefits for both mother and child.
- There is a notable absence of specific German recommendations for physical activity during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing international guidelines on physical activity for pregnant and postpartum women.
- To establish evidence-based recommendations for physical activity in healthy pregnant women in the absence of German-specific guidelines.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed (MedLine) for guidelines published between January 2010 and September 2015.
- Articles focusing on specific medical conditions or intervention programs were excluded, prioritizing general recommendations.
Main Results:
- The search identified 29 relevant articles, but only 2 met the inclusion criteria for general recommendations.
- Two additional articles summarizing international guidelines were included in the review.
Conclusions:
- Pregnant women without contraindications should be encouraged to engage in regular physical activity.
- Healthy pregnant and postpartum women should strive for at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity per week.