Physical activity/exercise and pregnancy – updating knowledge and understanding challenges for guideline development

The aim of the first half of this symposium is to update knowledge of the evidence relating to physical activity (PA) and exercise during pregnancy using an interactive Q and A panel format. In former times, the focus of most guidelines for PA/exercise during pregnancy was on the potential adverse effects on the developing foetus, but today there is much more focus on the benefits of PA/exercise for both the mother-to-be and the baby. But is what we know about exercise in pregnancy based on common sense, or is there high quality research on which to base clear PA/exercise guidelines for both women and their health care providers? What do we really understand about the risks and benefits for the mother, the birth process and the infant? This panel discussion will highlight the complexities of the evidence, and the difficulties of making’one size fits all’ recommendations for all pregnant women. The panel will be chaired by Professor Wendy Brown, who has experience in the development of recommendations on exercise during pregnancy for both athletes and the general population. The panel includes epidemiologists, behavioural and clinical exercise scientists, Dr Gregore Mielke, Dr Gabriela Mena, Ms Tayla Lamerton and Dr Shelley Keating, from the Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health at the University of Queensland. In the second half of this session, A/Prof Lene Haakstad will give an invited presentation on why we should be promoting physical activity during pregnancy to all women.