Physical activity for pregnant and postpartum women: Physical Activity Guidelines for the Brazilian Population

Authors

  • Gregore Iven Mielke The University of Queensland, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, Brisbane, Australia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3043-2715
  • Camila Tomicki Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3784-1570
  • Cíntia Ehlers Botton Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Departamento de Desportos, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2622-9650
  • Fabiana Vieira Santos Azevedo Cavalcante Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Atenção Primária à Saúde, Departamento de Promoção da Saúde, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil.
  • Grasiely Faccin Borges Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Bahia, Itabuna, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5771-6259
  • Leony Morgana Galliano Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5599-0377
  • Paula Fabricio Sandreschi Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Atenção Primária à Saúde, Departamento de Promoção da Saúde, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6487-2359
  • Stephanie Santana Pinto Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Departamento de Desportos, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4555-2717
  • Thaynã Alves Bezerra Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Departamento de Educação Física, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-4747
  • Pedro Curi Hallal Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Departamento de Ginástica e Saúde, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1470-6461
  • Roseanne Autran Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Faculdade de Educação Física e Fisioterapia, Manaus, Amazônia, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7483-0213

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.26e0217

Keywords:

Atividade física, Gestação, População, Exercício físico

Abstract

This manuscript aims to present the recommendations of physical activity for pregnant and postpartum women developed for the Physical Activity Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. A mixed-method approach that included four steps was used: 1) review of the most recent international guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy; 2) narrative literature review on the effects of physical activity during pregnancy on the health of the woman and the baby; 3) consultation with pregnant women, postpartum women, professionals and researchers; 4) public consultation. The summarized evidence supports that physical activity during pregnancy and in the postpartum is safe, has benefits to the health of the mother and baby, and reduces the risks of some complications related to pregnancy. Pregnant women should be encouraged to do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity physical activity. Pregnant women with contraindications should seek help from qualified professionals. In some cases, physical activity during pregnancy is not recommended. This document will be used as a tool to guide health professionals who work with pregnant women and women in the postpartum period. Also, it will inform and guide women during pregnancy and postpartum about the benefits of physical activity.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Dipietro L, Evenson KR, Bloodgood B, Sprow K, Troiano RP, Piercy KL, et al. Benefits of Physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum: an umbrella review. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019;51(6):1292–302.

Silva SG, Ricardo LI, Evenson KR, Hallal PC. Leisure-time physical activity in pregnancy and maternal-child health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. Sports Med. 2017;47(2):295–317.

Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 804. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(4):e178–88.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) Technical Bulletin: Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period. Washington: ACOG; 1985.

Mottola MF, Davenport MH, Ruchat S-M, Davies GA, Poitras VJ, Gray CE, et al. 2019 Canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(21):1339–46.

Evenson KR, Mottola MF, Artal R. Review of recent physical activity guidelines during pregnancy to facilitate advice by health care providers. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2019;74(8):481–9.

Evenson KR, Barakat R, Brown WJ, Dargent-Molina P, Haruna M, Mikkelsen EM, et al. Guidelines for Physical Activity during Pregnancy: Comparisons From Around the World. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2014;8(2):102–21.

United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report: To the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 2018. 779 p.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 650: Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;126(6):e135–42.

GRADE handbook [Internet]. [cited 2021 Apr 18]. Disponível em: https://gdt.gradepro.org/app/handbook/handbook.html

Davenport MH, Ruchat S-M, Poitras VJ, Jaramillo Garcia A, Gray CE, Barrowman N, et al. Prenatal exercise for the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(21):1367–75.

Cai C, Ruchat S-M, Sivak A, Davenport MH. Prenatal exercise and cardiorespiratory health and fitness: a meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2020 Jul;52(7):1538–48.

Davenport MH, Nagpal TS, Mottola MF, Skow RJ, Riske L, Poitras VJ, et al. Prenatal exercise (including but not limited to pelvic floor muscle training) and urinary incontinence during and following pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(21):1397–404.

Woodley SJ, Boyle R, Cody JD, Mørkved S, Hay-Smith EJC. Pelvic floor muscle training for prevention and treatment of urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;12:CD007471.

Marín-Jiménez N, Acosta-Manzano P, Borges-Cosic M, Baena-García L, Coll-Risco I, Romero-Gallardo L, et al. Association of self-reported physical fitness with pain during pregnancy: The GESTAFIT Project. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2019;29(7):1022–30.

Caputo EL, Ferreira PH, Ferreira ML, Bertoldi AD, Domingues MR, Shirley D, et al. Physical Activity Before or During Pregnancy and Low Back Pain: Data From the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study. J Phys Act Health. 2019;16(10):886–93.

Davenport MH, McCurdy AP, Mottola MF, Skow RJ, Meah VL, Poitras VJ, et al. Impact of prenatal exercise on both prenatal and postnatal anxiety and depressive symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(21):1376–85.

Davenport MH, Kathol AJ, Mottola MF, Skow RJ, Meah VL, Poitras VJ, et al. Prenatal exercise is not associated with fetal mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2019;53(2):108–15.

Davenport MH, Ruchat S-M, Sobierajski F, Poitras VJ, Gray CE, Yoo C, et al. Impact of prenatal exercise on maternal harms, labour and delivery outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2019;53(2):99–107.

Davenport MH, Meah VL, Ruchat S-M, Davies GA, Skow RJ, Barrowman N, et al. Impact of prenatal exercise on neonatal and childhood outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(21):1386–96.

Adesegun D, Cai C, Sivak A, Chari R, Davenport MH. Prenatal Exercise and Pre-gestational Diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2019;41(8):1134–43.e17.

Cary GB, Quinn TJ. Exercise and lactation: are they compatible? Can J Appl Physiol. 2001;26(1):55–75.

Beetham KS, Giles C, Noetel M, Clifton V, Jones JC, Naughton G. The effects of vigorous intensity exercise in the third trimester of pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019;19(1):281.

Meah VL, Davies GA, Davenport MH. Why can't I exercise during pregnancy? Time to revisit medical 'absolute' and 'relative' contraindications: systematic review of evidence of harm and a call to action. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(23):1395-1404.

newton er, may l. adaptation of maternal-fetal physiology to exercise in pregnancy: the basis of guidelines for physical activity in pregnancy. Clin Med Insights Womens Health. 2017;10:1179562X17693224.

Wang S-M, Dezinno P, Maranets I, Berman MR, Caldwell-Andrews AA, Kain ZN. Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104(1):65–70.

Mottola MF, Nagpal TS, Bgeginski R, Davenport MH, Poitras VJ, Gray CE, et al. Is supine exercise associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes? A systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2019;53(2):82–9.

Nagpal TS, Mottola MF. Physical activity throughout pregnancy is key to preventing chronic disease. Reproduction. 2020;160(5):R111–8.

Weissgerber TL, Davies GAL, Roberts JM. Modification of angiogenic factors by regular and acute exercise during pregnancy. J Appl Physiol. 2010;108(5):1217–23.

Müller WA, Mielke GI, da Silva ICM, Silveira MF, Domingues MR. Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Preterm Birth: Findings From the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study. J Phys Act Health. 2020;1–10.

Mielke GI, Crochemore-Silva I, Domingues MR, Silveira MF, Bertoldi AD, Brown WJ. Physical Activity and Sitting Time From 16 to 24 Weeks of Pregnancy to 12, 24, and 48 Months Postpartum: Findings From the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study. J Phys Act Health. 2021;1-7.

Harrison AL, Taylor NF, Shields N, Frawley HC. Attitudes, barriers and enablers to physical activity in pregnant women: a systematic review. J Physiother. 2018;64(1):24–32.

Coll CVN, Domingues MR, Gonçalves H, Bertoldi AD. Perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy: A literature review of quantitative and qualitative evidence. J Sci Med Sport. 2017;20(1):17–25..

Burton C, Doyle E, Humber K, Rouxel C, Worner S, Colman R, et al. The biopsychosocial barriers and enablers to being physically active following childbirth: a systematic literature review. Phys Ther Rev. 2019;24(3-4):143–55.

Downloads

Published

2021-07-21

How to Cite

1.
Mielke GI, Tomicki C, Botton CE, Cavalcante FVSA, Borges GF, Galliano LM, et al. Physical activity for pregnant and postpartum women: Physical Activity Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. Rev. Bras. Ativ. Fís. Saúde [Internet]. 2021 Jul. 21 [cited 2024 May 13];26:1-10. Available from: https://rbafs.org.br/RBAFS/article/view/14561

Issue

Vol. 26 (2021)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2021 Brazilian Journal of Physical Activity & Health

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.