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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

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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 (beats/minute)
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