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Healthcare, Fitness & Sport
Professionals
Check out our advice & guidance, read about our 'whole systems' approach
& discover resources to help you support women
We believe in a whole systems approach based on clear and consistent evidence-based messages shared by all
professionals so that pregnant and postnatal women feel reassured and empowered to make informed physical activity choices.
To normalise physical activity behaviour throughout motherhood, we recognise that promoting
physical activity is not someone else’s job, it is everybody’s responsibility.
Are you a midwife, health visitor, physiotherapist, GP, or any other healthcare professional with an interest in maternal health?
Are you a coach, strength & conditioning coach, or any other sports professional working with female athletes?
Are you a qualified pre-/postnatal instructor or fitness professional with an interest in women’s fitness?
The Life Course Approach to Being Active
As part of a life course approach and to continue to benefit from engagement in regular physical activity, it is recommended that pregnant and postnatal individuals aim to accumulate 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity throughout the week and engage in strength training activities twice per week.1
This is, however, a unique population group where certain considerations must be kept in mind to support discussions and modifications throughout pregnancy and beyond.
We know that women frequently come into contact with a range of professionals during pregnancy and following childbirth, but research has shown that there is a lack of clear and consistent physical activity information which often lead to women turning to informal sources for guidance or stopping activity completely.2,3
We also know that inactivity during pregnancy puts women at risk of continued inactivity which means that they will be losing out on many of the physical and mental health benefits assorted with an active lifestyle.4
What Can You Do Today?
In collaboration with Public Health England and Health Education England, the This Mum Moves project developed a free e-learning module as part of the Physical Activity and Health programme. The Active Pregnancy Foundation has endorsed this module.
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The module raises awareness of the current national physical activity guidelines for pregnant and postnatal women and takes around 30 – 60 minutes to work through. At the end, you'll also be rewarded with a certificate of completion.
This module is also suitable for fitness professionals,
and rewards you with 1 CIMSPA endorsed CPD point.
References:
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Department of Health and Social Care. (2019). UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines. Retrieved from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832868/uk-chief-medical-officers-physical-activity-guidelines.pdf
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De Vivo, M. & Mills H. (2019). “They turn to you first for everything”: Midwives’ perspectives on roles, responsibilities, and barriers in providing physical activity advice and guidance during pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 19. doi: 10.1186/s12884-019-2607-x
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Gilroy, V., De Vivo, M., & Lawson, R. (2019). Educational campaign to support pregnant women and new mothers in enjoying and benefitting from an active lifestyle. Insight Report. Unpublished.
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Abbasi, M., & van den Akker, O. (2015). A systematic review of changes in women’s physical activity before and during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 33(4), 325-358. doi:10.1080/02646838.2015.1012710
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