Dose-Response Effects on LBP, Sleep, and Depression of Online Pre-Partum and Post-Partum Pilates-Based Programs

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Physical Therapy
• Women's Health

Background:

• Pregnancy involves significant physical and psychological changes.
• Pilates-based exercise offers a potential intervention for managing these changes.
• Online programs provide accessible options for prenatal and postpartum care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dose-response and health effects of an online Pilates program during pregnancy and postpartum.
• To assess the program's impact on weight control, low back pain (LBP) severity, sleep disturbances, mood, and depression.
• To determine optimal exercise durations for pre- and postpartum benefits.

Main Methods:

• 136 eligible pregnant women (low-risk, 18-45 years, normal BMI) participated.
• Participants engaged in an online Pilates program during pregnancy and postpartum.
• Key outcomes including weight, LBP, sleep, mood, and depression were measured at baseline and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Pre-partum: High-amount exercise (270 min/week) prevented LBP worsening and sleep deterioration. Depression scores improved across all exercise groups.
• Post-partum (n=40): Intermediate-amount exercise (150 min/week) significantly reduced sleep disturbances and depression symptoms.
• Weight gain was observed only in low- and intermediate-amount exercisers pre-partum.

Conclusions:

• Approximately 270 minutes/week of online Pilates pre-partum is recommended to prevent low back pain (LBP) and sleep disturbances.
• Postpartum, 150 minutes/week of Pilates intervention appears most effective for improving LBP, sleep, and mood.
• Online Pilates programs offer a viable approach to support maternal well-being throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery.