Developing Evidence-Based Recommendations Surrounding Training During and Following Pregnancy in Elite Athletes

The representation of females in sport and exercise-science literature remains limited, prompting focused efforts to expand the breadth of research in the field, particularly surrounding training and competition during and following pregnancy in elite athletes. Much of the existing literature on this topic provides little to no guidance for females, coaches, health-care personnel, and high-performance staff on how to most appropriately develop effective and healthy training programs during the perinatal period. Purpose: This brief review provides insight into the current literature surrounding exercise-related factors and navigating perinatal lifespan stages in elite athletes, as well as offering a call to action for scientists and clinicians to develop and explore impactful research questions on these topics. Conclusions: In order to deliver evidence-informed care to perinatal athletes, it is vital to take an interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach that focuses on the physiological changes occurring during and following pregnancy, exercise training, nutrition, environmental stressors, and injury prevention and care. Furthermore, concerted efforts to expand the breadth and depth of health- and performance-related research for perinatal athletes are needed to ensure that these athletes receive proper evidence-informed guidance.