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Postpartum sedentary behaviour and pelvic floor support: A prospective cohort study
Janet M Shaw1, Ali Wolpern1, Jiqiang Wu2
1Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Utah College of Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|April 14, 2023
Summary
Reducing sedentary time and increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) postpartum may worsen pelvic floor support. Light physical activity (LPA) showed no significant association with pelvic floor support changes.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Physical Therapy
- Public Health
Background:
- Pelvic floor support is crucial for women's health after childbirth.
- Sedentary behavior is a growing concern in the postpartum period.
- Understanding the impact of physical activity on pelvic floor support is essential for maternal well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between sedentary time and pelvic floor support in women after vaginal delivery.
- To determine if replacing sedentary time with light physical activity (LPA) or moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) affects pelvic floor support.
Main Methods:
- 532 primiparas wore accelerometers postpartum to measure sedentary time, LPA, and MVPA.
- Pelvic floor support was assessed one year postpartum.
- Multivariable isotemporal substitution analyses were used to examine the relationships.
Main Results:
- 9.4% of women showed worse pelvic floor support one year postpartum.
- Replacing 30 minutes of sedentary time with MVPA was associated with increased prevalence of worse pelvic floor support (PR 1.43).
- Replacing sedentary time with LPA did not show a significant association with worse pelvic floor support.
Conclusions:
- Decreasing sedentary time and increasing MVPA postpartum may negatively impact pelvic floor support.
- Replacing sedentary time with LPA appears to be a safer alternative for maintaining pelvic floor support.
- Further research is needed to optimize physical activity recommendations for postpartum women to protect pelvic floor health.
