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Review
. 2024 Jul;13(4):472-483.
doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.12.004. Epub 2023 Dec 28.

A review of public health guidelines for postpartum physical activity and sedentary behavior from around the world

Kelly R Evenson  1 , Wendy J Brown  2 , Alison K Brinson  3 , Emily Budzynski-Seymour  4 , Melanie Hayman  5
Affiliations
Review

A review of public health guidelines for postpartum physical activity and sedentary behavior from around the world

Kelly R Evenson et al. J Sport Health Sci. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Caesarean section; Guidelines; Postnatal; Recommendations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Image, graphical abstract
Graphical abstract
Fig1
Fig.1
Phases of the postpartum period based on time course and physiologic changes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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