RESUMEN
Postpartum physical activity is a public health issue. Reporting on the quality of exercise interventions designs must be ensured in view of the reproducibility and successful implementation of such studies. The objective was to develop and preliminary validate a physical exercise program for postpartum recovery, aiming to promote physical fitness and health of the new mothers. The study was carried out through the three stages of development, piloting, and evaluation. The Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) was used to describe the postpartum exercise program. The Criteria for Reporting the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions in Healthcare (CReDECI2) was followed to develop and preliminary validate the program. A tailored postpartum exercise program was developed based on evidence-based international recommendations to be implemented by qualified exercise professionals. A pilot intervention of 16 weeks was carried out, engaging a group of postpartum women. The viability of the program was subsequently evaluated by all participants. The present work provided guidance to develop a study protocol with a larger sample in order to prove the effectiveness of a supervised postpartum exercise program on selected parameters of health.
Asunto(s)
Terapia por Ejercicio , Periodo Posparto , Humanos , Femenino , Adulto , Terapia por Ejercicio/métodos , Terapia por Ejercicio/normas , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Ejercicio Físico , Proyectos Piloto , Embarazo , Aptitud Física , Desarrollo de Programa , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Atención Posnatal/métodos , Atención Posnatal/normas , Guías de Práctica Clínica como AsuntoRESUMEN
The postpartum period is marked by profound changes in women at physical, psychological, and physiological levels. Many of these changes persist after four to six weeks postpartum, and most women do not resume their levels of physical activity, which increases the risk of remaining inactive for many years. It is crucial to implement effective programs that promote exercise during the postpartum period. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility and analyze the effects of a structured and supervised postpartum exercise program on maternal health and fitness parameters. To analyze the potential effects of the intervention, the level of physical activity, quality of life, pelvic girdle and low back pain, fatigue, depression, and the level of functional and physical fitness were assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks, and after 16 weeks of intervention. Feedback on the exercise program was collected after the final assessment. The results showed that a structured and supervised postpartum exercise program was feasible and safe and produced positive effects on selected maternal health and fitness parameters. These results will encourage a study protocol with a larger sample in order to prove its effectiveness, improve the guidelines for postpartum exercise, and incorporate this program into a routine healthcare setting.
