Exercise Program for Postpartum Fitness
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This study will evaluate Strong as a Mother, an existing community exercise program for women returning to exercise after childbirth. The goal is to determine whether the program can be delivered consistently, whether participants find it acceptable, and how it may affect fitness and physical function.
Approximately 30 medically cleared women who are 3-12 months postpartum will be randomly assigned to begin the program immediately or continue their usual activities for 12 weeks before being offered the program. The program includes three supervised sessions per week combining strength training, aerobic exercise, and breathing and bracing instruction. Exercises will be adjusted to participants' abilities and symptoms.
Assessments will occur before and after the 12-week period, with a brief check-in at six weeks. Researchers will measure participation, program delivery, and adverse events, along with aerobic fitness, grip strength, and lifting, carrying, and chair-rise performance. Additional assessments will examine abdominal-wall characteristics, maternal functioning, postpartum quality of life, and pelvic-floor symptoms. This pilot study will provide preliminary findings to refine the program and plan a larger trial.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for women who are 3 to 12 months postpartum and have been medically cleared to exercise. Participants should be healthy enough for physical activity after childbirth.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Supervised Postpartum Functional Strength Training and Aerobic Conditioning
Trial Overview
The study tests a supervised community exercise program with strength training, aerobic workouts, and breathing techniques for new mothers. Women will either start the program right away or after a 12-week wait period. Sessions happen three times per week over 12 weeks.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants will begin Strong as a Mother, a 12-week community-based exercise program comprising three supervised sessions per week. Sessions combine progressive functional strength training, aerobic conditioning, and breathing and bracing instruction. A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with specialized pregnancy and postpartum training will individualize exercises and progression according to symptoms, training experience, technique, and physical capacity.
Participants will continue their usual activities for the initial 12-week comparison period without receiving the study exercise program. Outside exercise and relevant clinical care will be documented. After completing the 12-week assessments, participants will be offered the same Strong as a Mother program.
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Penn State University
Lead Sponsor
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