Objective:Pre-pregnancy obesity and suboptimal gestational weight gain are on the rise globally a... more Objective:Pre-pregnancy obesity and suboptimal gestational weight gain are on the rise globally and are independently associated with several maternal and neonatal complications. A healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, may improve health and reduce these complications, but many women are less active and willing to engage in physical activity with advancing gestation. Therefore, the inclusion of a wider range of physical activity such as domestic chore, occupational activity and active commuting may help pregnant women to meet the physical activity recommendations of 150 min/week. Very little is known about these issues in Italy, a country with strong traditional roles regarding pregnancy and motherhood, including “la famiglia” (the family). Primary objective describes health and lifestyle behavior of pregnant Italian women. Secondary objective reports total physical activity level, recreational exercise and context of these activities from pre-pregnancy and throughout gestation in regard to gestational weight gain management.Study design:Cross-sectional study performed in one public hospital and four antenatal clinics in Italy. Participants (n = 513) completed a validated self-administered questionnaire, the Physical Activity Pregnancy Questionnaire, in gestation week 36.01 (standard deviation 2.0). Pre-pregnancy body weight (kg) was self-reported, whereas maternal weight (kg) was measured at gestation week 36. In line with current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines (2020), participants were categorized into regular physical activity (⩾150 min/week) or non-regular physical activity (<150 min/week).Results:Mean pre-pregnancy body-mass index was 22.8 kg/m2 (standard deviation 3.9), with 14.4% of women entering motherhood overweight and 5.3% obese. Mean gestational weight gain was 11.9 kg (standard deviation 4.1). Among those with a body-mass index ⩾25, 46.5% gained above the Institute of Medicine recommendations. With respect to recreational exercise/sport, 4.7% were active according to guidelines, whereas 82.7% accumulated ⩾150 min/week when combining exercise/sport with daily-life physical activity (commuting and occupational). Exercising ⩾150 min/week and working 100% in third trimester were associated with gestational weight gain within Institute of Medicine recommendations (p = 0.06 and p = 0.03).Conclusion:Italian pregnant women have a low exercise level, still over 80% achieved a total physical activity level ⩾150 min/week when adding occupational and commuting activities. Nearly 50% of overweight and obese women exceeded the recommended gestational weight gain during pregnancy.
Introduction and hypothesis High-intensity physical activity and exercise have been listed as pos... more Introduction and hypothesis High-intensity physical activity and exercise have been listed as possible risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The aim of the present study is to conduct a literature review on the prevalence and incidence of POP in women who engage in regular physical activity. In addition, we review the effects of a single exercise or a single session of exercise on pelvic floor support. Finally, the effect of exercises on POP in the early postpartum period is reviewed. Methods This is a narrative scoping review. We searched PubMed and Ovid Medline, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to May 2022 with the following MeSH terms: “physical activity” AND “exercise” AND “pelvic floor” AND “pelvic organ prolapse”. Results Eight prevalence studies were retrieved. Prevalence rates of symptomatic POP varied between 0 (small study within different sports) and 23% (Olympic weightlifters and power lifters). Parit...
Introduction and hypothesis Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective for the treatment of... more Introduction and hypothesis Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), but other exercise programs have also been promoted and used. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of hypopressive and other exercise programs besides PFMT for POP. Methods A literature search was conducted on Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, and Scopus databases from January 1996 to 30 December 2021. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The keywords were combinations of “pelvic organ prolapse” or “urogenital prolapse,” and “exercise therapy,” “hypopressive exercise,” “Kegel,” “pelvic floor muscle training,” “pelvic floor muscle exercises,” “Pilates,” “treatment,” “yoga,” “Tai Chi.” Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro rating scale (0–10). Results Seven RCTs containing hypopressive exercise, yoga or breathing and hip muscle exercises in an inverted position were retrieved and analyzed. PEDro score ...
Physical activity during pregnancy is recommended and has been shown to benefit most women. Howev... more Physical activity during pregnancy is recommended and has been shown to benefit most women. However, some modification to exercise routines may be necessary due to normal anatomic and physiologic changes and fetal requirements. Therefore, knowledge about the systemic changes of pregnancy should be taken into account when counseling women who wish to exercise through their pregnancy and should be complemented by the knowledge about the potential effect of exercise (therapeutic exercise) for prevention and resolution of some common pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions. Therapeutic exercise is the systematic and planned performance of exercises which aims to improve and restore physical function.
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 2018
BACKGROUND Moderate to heavy load resistance training (RT) is advocated for overweight and obese ... more BACKGROUND Moderate to heavy load resistance training (RT) is advocated for overweight and obese individuals. One of the beneficial effects of RT is increased resting metabolic rate (RMR), which typically makes up the majority of the total daily energy expenditure. It is, however, unclear if low to moderate load RT affects RMR. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the effects of twelve weeks of BodyPump, on RMR in previous untrained women with BMI≥25.0, and to compare the results with individual heavy load RT. METHODS Eighteen overweight women participated in the study (mean age 35.4±10.2 years, BMI 30.4 kg/m2±4.8), ten allocated to BodyPump (high-repetition, low to moderate load RT) and 8 to heavy load RT (linear periodization with 3-6, 8-10 and 13-15 repetitions, 2-4 series). Both groups exercised 3 times/week for 12 weeks. RMR was assessed with indirect calorimetry at baseline, midway (after 6 weeks) and at post-test. RESULTS Adherence to exercise were 62% and 93% in the BodyPump and heavy load RT group, respectively (P=0.003). RMR in the BodyPump increased with 8.5% (±10.8) from baseline to post-test (P=0.041). The heavy load RT group increased 10.5% (±10.4) from baseline to post-test (P=0.025). There was no significant group difference in RMR from baseline to post-test (P=0.593). CONCLUSIONS BodyPump and heavy load RT resulted in a similar increase in RMR after 12 weeks of training. Assuming that elevation of RMR is important for combating overweight and obesity, BodyPump appears to have the same potential as heavy load RT.
Objective:Pre-pregnancy obesity and suboptimal gestational weight gain are on the rise globally a... more Objective:Pre-pregnancy obesity and suboptimal gestational weight gain are on the rise globally and are independently associated with several maternal and neonatal complications. A healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, may improve health and reduce these complications, but many women are less active and willing to engage in physical activity with advancing gestation. Therefore, the inclusion of a wider range of physical activity such as domestic chore, occupational activity and active commuting may help pregnant women to meet the physical activity recommendations of 150 min/week. Very little is known about these issues in Italy, a country with strong traditional roles regarding pregnancy and motherhood, including “la famiglia” (the family). Primary objective describes health and lifestyle behavior of pregnant Italian women. Secondary objective reports total physical activity level, recreational exercise and context of these activities from pre-pregnancy and throughout gestation in regard to gestational weight gain management.Study design:Cross-sectional study performed in one public hospital and four antenatal clinics in Italy. Participants (n = 513) completed a validated self-administered questionnaire, the Physical Activity Pregnancy Questionnaire, in gestation week 36.01 (standard deviation 2.0). Pre-pregnancy body weight (kg) was self-reported, whereas maternal weight (kg) was measured at gestation week 36. In line with current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines (2020), participants were categorized into regular physical activity (⩾150 min/week) or non-regular physical activity (<150 min/week).Results:Mean pre-pregnancy body-mass index was 22.8 kg/m2 (standard deviation 3.9), with 14.4% of women entering motherhood overweight and 5.3% obese. Mean gestational weight gain was 11.9 kg (standard deviation 4.1). Among those with a body-mass index ⩾25, 46.5% gained above the Institute of Medicine recommendations. With respect to recreational exercise/sport, 4.7% were active according to guidelines, whereas 82.7% accumulated ⩾150 min/week when combining exercise/sport with daily-life physical activity (commuting and occupational). Exercising ⩾150 min/week and working 100% in third trimester were associated with gestational weight gain within Institute of Medicine recommendations (p = 0.06 and p = 0.03).Conclusion:Italian pregnant women have a low exercise level, still over 80% achieved a total physical activity level ⩾150 min/week when adding occupational and commuting activities. Nearly 50% of overweight and obese women exceeded the recommended gestational weight gain during pregnancy.
Introduction and hypothesis High-intensity physical activity and exercise have been listed as pos... more Introduction and hypothesis High-intensity physical activity and exercise have been listed as possible risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The aim of the present study is to conduct a literature review on the prevalence and incidence of POP in women who engage in regular physical activity. In addition, we review the effects of a single exercise or a single session of exercise on pelvic floor support. Finally, the effect of exercises on POP in the early postpartum period is reviewed. Methods This is a narrative scoping review. We searched PubMed and Ovid Medline, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to May 2022 with the following MeSH terms: “physical activity” AND “exercise” AND “pelvic floor” AND “pelvic organ prolapse”. Results Eight prevalence studies were retrieved. Prevalence rates of symptomatic POP varied between 0 (small study within different sports) and 23% (Olympic weightlifters and power lifters). Parit...
Introduction and hypothesis Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective for the treatment of... more Introduction and hypothesis Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), but other exercise programs have also been promoted and used. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of hypopressive and other exercise programs besides PFMT for POP. Methods A literature search was conducted on Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, and Scopus databases from January 1996 to 30 December 2021. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The keywords were combinations of “pelvic organ prolapse” or “urogenital prolapse,” and “exercise therapy,” “hypopressive exercise,” “Kegel,” “pelvic floor muscle training,” “pelvic floor muscle exercises,” “Pilates,” “treatment,” “yoga,” “Tai Chi.” Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro rating scale (0–10). Results Seven RCTs containing hypopressive exercise, yoga or breathing and hip muscle exercises in an inverted position were retrieved and analyzed. PEDro score ...
Physical activity during pregnancy is recommended and has been shown to benefit most women. Howev... more Physical activity during pregnancy is recommended and has been shown to benefit most women. However, some modification to exercise routines may be necessary due to normal anatomic and physiologic changes and fetal requirements. Therefore, knowledge about the systemic changes of pregnancy should be taken into account when counseling women who wish to exercise through their pregnancy and should be complemented by the knowledge about the potential effect of exercise (therapeutic exercise) for prevention and resolution of some common pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions. Therapeutic exercise is the systematic and planned performance of exercises which aims to improve and restore physical function.
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 2018
BACKGROUND Moderate to heavy load resistance training (RT) is advocated for overweight and obese ... more BACKGROUND Moderate to heavy load resistance training (RT) is advocated for overweight and obese individuals. One of the beneficial effects of RT is increased resting metabolic rate (RMR), which typically makes up the majority of the total daily energy expenditure. It is, however, unclear if low to moderate load RT affects RMR. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the effects of twelve weeks of BodyPump, on RMR in previous untrained women with BMI≥25.0, and to compare the results with individual heavy load RT. METHODS Eighteen overweight women participated in the study (mean age 35.4±10.2 years, BMI 30.4 kg/m2±4.8), ten allocated to BodyPump (high-repetition, low to moderate load RT) and 8 to heavy load RT (linear periodization with 3-6, 8-10 and 13-15 repetitions, 2-4 series). Both groups exercised 3 times/week for 12 weeks. RMR was assessed with indirect calorimetry at baseline, midway (after 6 weeks) and at post-test. RESULTS Adherence to exercise were 62% and 93% in the BodyPump and heavy load RT group, respectively (P=0.003). RMR in the BodyPump increased with 8.5% (±10.8) from baseline to post-test (P=0.041). The heavy load RT group increased 10.5% (±10.4) from baseline to post-test (P=0.025). There was no significant group difference in RMR from baseline to post-test (P=0.593). CONCLUSIONS BodyPump and heavy load RT resulted in a similar increase in RMR after 12 weeks of training. Assuming that elevation of RMR is important for combating overweight and obesity, BodyPump appears to have the same potential as heavy load RT.
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