TY - JOUR
T1 - A review of public health guidelines for postpartum physical activity and sedentary behavior from around the world
AU - Evenson, Kelly R
AU - Brown, Wendy J
AU - Brinson, Alison K
AU - Budzynski-Seymour, Emily
AU - Hayman, Melanie
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge Tracy Bruce (Senior Research Librarian, University of Southern Queensland) for her expertise in the search process as well as our colleagues who helped translate the non-English guidelines for the project. AKB was provided support by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, award number T32 HD091058. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - BACKGROUND: The period following pregnancy is a critical time window when future habits with respect to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are established; therefore, it warrants guidance. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize public health-oriented country-specific postpartum PA and SB guidelines worldwide.METHODS: To identify guidelines published since 2010, we performed a (a) systematic search of 4 databases (CINAHL, Global Health, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus), (b) structured repeatable web-based search separately for 194 countries, and (c) separate web-based search. Only the most recent guideline was included for each country.RESULTS: We identified 22 countries with public health-oriented postpartum guidelines for PA and 11 countries with SB guidelines. The continents with guidelines included Europe (n = 12), Asia (n = 5), Oceania (n = 2), Africa (n = 1), North America (n = 1), and South America (n = 1). The most common benefits recorded for PA included weight control/management (n = 10), reducing the risk of postpartum depression or depressive symptoms (n = 9), and improving mood/well-being (n = 8). Postpartum guidelines specified exercises to engage in, including pelvic floor exercises (n = 17); muscle strengthening, weight training, or resistance exercises (n = 13); aerobics/general aerobic activity (n = 13); walking (n = 11); cycling (n = 9); and swimming (n = 9). Eleven guidelines remarked on the interaction between PA and breastfeeding; several guidelines stated that PA did not impact breast milk quantity (n = 7), breast milk quality (n = 6), or infant growth (n = 3). For SB, suggestions included limiting long-term sitting and interrupting sitting with PA.CONCLUSION: Country-specific postpartum guidelines for PA and SB can help promote healthy behaviors using a culturally appropriate context while providing specific guidance to public health practitioners.
AB - BACKGROUND: The period following pregnancy is a critical time window when future habits with respect to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are established; therefore, it warrants guidance. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize public health-oriented country-specific postpartum PA and SB guidelines worldwide.METHODS: To identify guidelines published since 2010, we performed a (a) systematic search of 4 databases (CINAHL, Global Health, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus), (b) structured repeatable web-based search separately for 194 countries, and (c) separate web-based search. Only the most recent guideline was included for each country.RESULTS: We identified 22 countries with public health-oriented postpartum guidelines for PA and 11 countries with SB guidelines. The continents with guidelines included Europe (n = 12), Asia (n = 5), Oceania (n = 2), Africa (n = 1), North America (n = 1), and South America (n = 1). The most common benefits recorded for PA included weight control/management (n = 10), reducing the risk of postpartum depression or depressive symptoms (n = 9), and improving mood/well-being (n = 8). Postpartum guidelines specified exercises to engage in, including pelvic floor exercises (n = 17); muscle strengthening, weight training, or resistance exercises (n = 13); aerobics/general aerobic activity (n = 13); walking (n = 11); cycling (n = 9); and swimming (n = 9). Eleven guidelines remarked on the interaction between PA and breastfeeding; several guidelines stated that PA did not impact breast milk quantity (n = 7), breast milk quality (n = 6), or infant growth (n = 3). For SB, suggestions included limiting long-term sitting and interrupting sitting with PA.CONCLUSION: Country-specific postpartum guidelines for PA and SB can help promote healthy behaviors using a culturally appropriate context while providing specific guidance to public health practitioners.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85183550492&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.12.004
DO - 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.12.004
M3 - Review article
C2 - 38158180
SN - 1674-6031
SP - 1
EP - 12
JO - Journal of Sport and Health Science
JF - Journal of Sport and Health Science
ER -
