Trunk forward flexion mobility in reference to postural sway in women after delivery: A prospective longitudinal comparison between early pregnancy and 2- and 6-month postpartum follow-ups.

BACKGROUND: It has been documented that pregnancy-related increased connective tissue laxity may persist postpartum; however, it is still unclear for how long. This longitudinal study aimed to compare total trunk forward flexion mobility in women between their first trimester of pregnancy and at 2- and 6-month postpartum follow-ups. We also searched for a correlation between women's trunk flexibility and their postural stability in the sagittal plane. METHODS: Seventeen healthy women participated in the study. Data were collected at their 7-12 weeks gestation appointments and at 6-10 and 25-28 weeks postpartum. At each session, the women performed a finger floor distance test, and data were collected on their waist circumference and BMI. The women's center of foot pressure mean velocity in the anterior-posterior direction was computed from 30-s long quiet-standing trials on a stationary force plate. FINDINGS: Total trunk forward flexion mobility was significantly higher at 2 and 6 months postpartum compared to that in early pregnancy (P < 0.05). At 6 months postpartum, a moderate negative correlation between finger floor distance test values and their anterior-posterior center of foot pressure mean velocity was observed (r = -0.6, P < 0.05). INTERPRETATION: Increased total trunk flexibility may be present in women 6 months postpartum. During that period, women with higher trunk flexibility may be more likely to present higher anterior-posterior postural sway velocity in quiet standing.

Static Postural Stability in Women during and after Pregnancy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

This longitudinal study aimed to compare static postural stability in women between early pregnancy, advanced pregnancy, and at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Forty-five pregnant women were enrolled and 31 completed the protocol. Data were collected at 7-16 and 34-39 weeks gestation, and at 6-10 and 26-30 weeks postpartum. For each subject, the center of foot pressure path length and mean velocity (with directional subcomponents) were computed from 30-s long quiet-standing trials on a stationary force plate with eyes open or closed. The body mass, stance width, and sleep duration within 24 h before testing were also recorded. Static postural stability was not different between pregnancy and postpartum, except for the anterior posterior sway tested in the eyes-closed condition, which was significantly increased in late pregnancy compared to that at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Pregnant/postpartum women's body mass weakly positively correlated with anterior-posterior sway in the eyes-closed condition and their stance width weakly positively correlated with the anterior-posterior sway in the eyes-open condition. No effect of sleep duration on postural sway was found. Our findings indicate that under visual deprivation conditions women in advanced pregnancy may have decreased static stability compared to their non-pregnant state.

Comparison of static postural stability in exercising and non-exercising women during the perinatal period.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to determine whether women who exercised during and after pregnancy had better static postural stability compared to those who did not exercise. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Posturographic tests were performed in 31 women at 34-39 weeks gestation, and again at 6-10 weeks postpartum. The center of pressure mean velocity (with directional subcomponents) and sway area were computed from 30-s quiet standing trials on a stationary force plate with eyes open or closed. The women were surveyed about their lifestyle and physical activity in the perinatal period. Based on the survey, 12 of the women were assigned as regular exercisers and 19 as non-exercisers. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare data of the exercisers and the non-exercisers in their advanced pregnancy and again at 2 months postpartum. RESULTS: Postural sway measures were not significantly different between the exercisers and the non-exercisers in advanced pregnancy and at 2 months postpartum (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individually performed physical activity during the perinatal period did not affect pregnant/postpartum women's postural stability characteristics of quiet standing.