ECSS-ACSM webinar: How to exercise for the health of future generations? – Global, evidence-based promotion of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum

26.02.2025, 15:30 CET

In this webinar, we will present the results of multidisciplinary research explaining the impact of various exercise programmes on the health of mothers and children. Using the examples of the “ENHANCED by Mom” project from the US, “The Active Pregnancy” project from Portugal and “The NEPPE” and “HIIT Mama” projects from Poland, we will show how to translate scientific knowledge into practical guidelines for pregnant and postpartum populations, health professionals and exercise professionals. Among other things, the European educational standard "Exercise in pregnancy and postpartum" developed by an international group of experts affiliated with EuropeActive will be discussed. We will also present The ACSM “Special Interest Group for Pregnancy and Postpartum” from the US as a good practice of how to attract various stakeholders to strengthen the potential of international cooperation in this field.

Realising that we need an interdisciplinary approach, we have invited special guests from outside exercise science. One of them will be an expert, representing the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG) and the Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (PTGiP). The second guest will be the representative of the pan-European "TREASURE" project (as part of the EU COST Action), which aims to find ways to reduce maternal stress to maximise infant’s development. Regular physical activity in the perinatal period should certainly play a key role here. Together we will identify research gaps and actions necessary for the global, innovative promotion of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum.

The target audience of this session are researchers in the field of health-promoting physical activity, exercise professionals and vocational training providers.

This is the first webinar of the ECSS Special Interest Group for Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Postpartum, co-financed by the Minister of Science under the ‘Regional Excellence Initiative’ programme, Poland. (NEPPE – global promotion project, PI: Anna Szumilewicz) and by national funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal), within the scope of the project Active Pregnancy [2023.14896.PEX] (PI: Rita Santos Rocha).

Assoc Prof Anna Szumilewicz, PhD
Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
Polish Society of Sports Medicine (PTMS)
Poland
anna.szumilewicz@awf.gda.pl

Prof Linda May
East Carolina University, Kinesiology
Chief of the Pregnancy and Postpartum Special Interest Group at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
United States
mayl@ecu.edu

"Did you exercise in your mother's belly before you were born? - Maternal exercise as a strategy to improve the health of future generations"

With the increasing rates of obesity in women of child-bearing age, it is critical to develop strategies to prevent the intergenerational cycle of obesity. Data suggests that maternal exercise positively influences pregnancy outcomes and metabolic health in offspring. However, little is known about exercise metrics (frequency, intensity, time, type, volume, FITT-V) on placental and thus birth and infant outcomes. Based on our experimental study, we will present novel data on the biological mechanisms behind positive adaptations to maternal exercise. We assessed FITT-V outcomes on placental, birth, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cords at birth, as well as infant health outcomes; women did aerobic, strength, combination (aerobic + strength), or no exercise for 24+ weeks of pregnancy. Our outcomes suggest that any maternal exercise mode produces improvements in infants at the cellular and whole-body levels. Importantly, FITT-V is positively associated with improved placenta, birth and infant health. These changes in placenta and offspring increase overall health and thus could decrease the propensity to develop obesity and associated metabolic conditions later in life.

Furthermore, we will also discuss international initiatives related to exercise during pregnancy, including networking within the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) “Special Interest Group for Pregnancy and Postpartum” from the US. It is important that different stakeholders have opportunities to share ideas and work synergistically and collaboratively to advance the field of exercise and pregnancy and improve maternal and child health.

Assoc Prof Rita Santos-Rocha, PhD
Santarém Polytechnic University - Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM)
SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research and Innovation Center
Portugal
ritasantosrocha@esdrm.ipsantarem.pt

"How to increase physical activity levels during pregnancy? - The role of evidence-based guidelines and the effectiveness of educational and research projects"

Scientific studies have been supporting the positive multifactorial effects of an active lifestyle regarding the prevention and treatment of pregnancy-related complications and health problems, such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, obesity, lower back pain, urinary incontinence, anxiety or depression, as well as regarding its effectiveness in maintaining fitness and functionality and in improving postpartum recovery. Despite this knowledge, the prevalence of physical inactivity is still high among pregnant and postpartum women.

Practice and clinical guidelines have become an increasingly popular tool for the synthesis of evidence-based information to assist practitioners, exercise professionals and patients’ decisions related to starting or continueing physical activity. However, most women still do not receive proper guidance on how to exercise during pregnancy or after childbirth. During this webinar, the design and outcomes of an education and research-based initiative: The Active Pregnancy Project will be presented. We will discuss how various tools, including online ones, can increase the level of physical activity in these populations and contribute to improving maternal health and fitness during pregnancy and postpartum.

Prof Piotr Sieroszewski
Head of the 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Pregnancy Pathology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lodz
Treasurer of the European Board & College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG)
President of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (PTGiP)
Poland
piotr.sieroszewski@umed.lodz.pl

"Physical activity during pregnancy through the eyes of obstetricians"

Studies show that advice from obstetric care providers can significantly contribute to physical activity during pregnancy. However, only a few doctors and midwives encourage their patients to exercise. What is the reason for this? How can we change this situation? For this webinar, we invited a distinguished gynaecologist and obstetrician, the president of the Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (PTGiP), who participated in the preparation of national guidelines for physical activity in pregnancy and after childbirth, to share his thoughts. We will also address this topic from an international perspective from the European Council and College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. We will discuss what obstetric care providers need from exercise professionals and how these professional groups can support each other to increase physical activity in pregnant and postpartum populations.

Assoc Prof Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez, PhD
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada
Spain
rcg477@ugr.es

"Physical activity during pregnancy from a psychologists' perspective"

In the perinatal period, expectant and young mothers are particularly vulnerable to stress, anxiety disorders and depression. This in turn can affect the development of their offspring in the fetal and infant period and consequently their health throughout life. We will discuss this issue with the coordinator of the pan-European TREASURE project (Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising infants’ development), carried out within the EU COST Action by more than 500 researchers from 33 countries.

Numerous studies indicate that regular physical activity can be an antidote to this matter. We will discuss what we can do to systematically use physical activity to improve the mental health of the pregnant and postpartum population and future generations.