| Abstract: | Physical activity is extremely important for a healthy pregnancy. Its positive effects are shown during pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth. In our diploma thesis, we researched whether there are clinical guidelines for the exercise of healthy pregnant women and whether they precisely determine both the intensity and duration of various physical activities. Research has shown that the majority of women are less physically active during pregnancy than before
conception due to feeling unwell and sick in the first weeks of pregnancy, and later on due to poorer motivation, lack of time, insufficient encouragement from professionals and knowledge about exercise, and, consequently, the fear that they would harm the fetus by exercising. The fact is that an inactive and sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy is associated with pain, obesity, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and a prolonged return to the state before childbirth. We established that most of the recommendations are aimed at moderate-intensity aerobic exercise rather than high-intensity exercise or individual physical activities. After reviewing the literature, we summarized the guidelines and classified them into aerobic, anaerobic, and neuromotor exercise including yoga and pilates, pelvic floor muscle exercise, stretching, and high-intensity exercise. We discovered that physical activity is recommended for both previously active and inactive healthy pregnant women, and that aerobic and anaerobic exercise and stretching are important. The safest physical activities that are most often recommended in the guidelines are walking, stationary cycling, swimming and water exercise adapted to pregnant women, as well as strength training and neuro-motorPhysical activity is extremely important for a healthy pregnancy. Its positive effects are shown during pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth. In our diploma thesis, we researched
whether there are clinical guidelines for the exercise of healthy pregnant women and whether they precisely determine both the intensity and duration of various physical activities.Research has shown that the majority of women are less physically active during pregnancy than before conception due to feeling unwell and sick in the first weeks of pregnancy, and later on due to poorer motivation, lack of time, insufficient encouragement from professionals and knowledge about exercise, and, consequently, the fear that they would harm the fetus by exercising. The fact is that an inactive and sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy is associated with pain, obesity, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and a prolonged return to the state before childbirth. We established that most of the recommendations are aimed at moderate-intensity aerobic exercise rather than high-intensity exercise or individual physical activities. After reviewing the literature, we summarized the guidelines and classified them into aerobic, anaerobic, and neuromotor exercise including yoga and pilates, pelvic floor muscle exercise, stretching, and high-intensity exercise. We discovered that physical activity is recommended for both previously active and inactive healthy pregnant women, and that aerobic and anaerobic exercise and stretching are important. The safest physical activities that are most often recommended in the guidelines are walking, stationary cycling, swimming and water exercise adapted to pregnant women, as well as strength training and neuro-motor training (aerobics/pilates/yoga). It is important to know the limitations, adaptations, contraindications, and signs for stopping exercise and to exercise at least 150 minutes a week
or at least three times a week for 30 minutes. There is a lack of clinical guidelines for high-intensity exercise and more detailed recommendations for specific physical activities, therefore additional research in these areas is needed in the future. training (aerobics/pilates/yoga). It is important to know the limitations, adaptations, contraindications, and signs for stopping exercise and to exercise at least 150 minutes a week or at least three times a week for 30 minutes. There is a lack of clinical guidelines for high-intensity exercise and more detailed recommendations for specific physical activities, therefore additional research in these areas is needed in the future. |
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