Who and how should prescribe and conduct exercise programs for pregnant women? recommendations based on the European educational standards for pregnancy and postnatal exercise specialists
| Jun 30, 2018
About this article
Article Category: Editorial
Published Online: Jun 30, 2018
Page range: 107 - 112
Received: May 28, 2018
Accepted: Jun 03, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/devperiodmed.20182202.107112
© 2018 Anna Szumilewicz, published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The recommended structure of a 60-90-minute exercise session for women with uncomplicated pregnancy.
| Recommended physical activity elements | Recommended time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| • Warm-up | 7-10 |
| • Aerobic exercise, e.g., low or high-low impact aerobics, walking or jogging on a treadmill, stationary cycling | 15-20 |
| • Resistance exercises (including abdominal muscle exercises), and postural and neuromotor (e.g., body balance) exercises | 10-15 |
| • Stretching exercises | 5-10 |
| • Pelvic floor exercises | 5-10 |
| • Cool down and preparation for birth exercises, e.g., birth position and breathing exercises | 5-10 |
| • Relaxation and visualization of pregnancy and childbirth | 5-15 |
Heart rate ranges for various groups of pregnant women according to PARmed-X for Pregnancy [12].
| Maternal age (years) | Fitness level or BMI | Heart rate range |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 20 | --- | 140-155 |
| 20-29 | Low | 129-144 |
| Active | 135-150 | |
| Fit | 145-160 | |
| BMI > 25 kg/m2 | 102-124 | |
| 30-39 | Low | 128-144 |
| Active | 130-145 | |
| Fit | 140-156 | |
| BMI > 25 kg/m2 | 101-120 |
The content of the European educational standards for the Pregnancy and Postnatal Exercise Specialist. Adapted from [13].
| 10 core knowledge areas and skills for the EuropeActive Standards for the Pregnancy and Postnatal Exercise Specialist |
|---|
| • Role and professional development of the Pregnancy and Postnatal Exercise Specialist |
| • Morphological, physiological and biomechanical adaptations during pregnancy and postpartum |
| • Psychosocial aspects of exercising during pregnancy and postpartum |
| • Basic nutritional rules and other aspects of healthy lifestyle related to pregnancy and postpartum |
| • Potential benefits of exercise during pregnancy and postpartum |
| • Health issues and safety considerations related to pregnancy and postpartum exercise |
| • Health and fitness assessment in pregnant and postpartum women |
| • Prescription, implementation and adaptation of exercise for pregnant and postpartum women |
| • Specific exercises related to childbirth and motherhood |
| • Postpartum exercise and health-related issues |