Pregnancy and exercise
Engaging in consistent physical activity throughout pregnancy offers a myriad of benefits. A recent study revealed that tailoring exercise routines to match a woman’s pre-pregnancy fitness level can effectively mitigate various pregnancy-related disorders, including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, anxiety, prenatal depression, and numerous other health conditions.
Supporting elite athletes postpartum
There are limited supports in place for elite athletes returning to sport after pregnancy. A recent Canadian study, based on interviews with elite athletes, identifies key actionable steps for sport organizations to take to support postpartum athletes. Examples of these steps include: screening athletes for psychological and physical readiness in return to training, providing lactation…
Pelvic floor health is crucial for return to physical activity after childbirth
The pelvic floor is an essential group of muscles that help to maintain control of the bladder and bowels, support internal organs, and coordinate with the deep core, back and diaphragm. These muscles frequently require rehabilitation after the strain of pregnancy and birth. Pelvic floor physiotherapists are an important part of a postnatal care team…
Women’s health and sports
The connection between women’s health and sports has been studied for many years and recently it was translated into practice. As one of the first football clubs to incorporate research on women’s health into training and nutrition regimes, Chelsea Football Club Women partnered with bio-analytics company Orreco to monitor players’ menstrual cycles to enhance performance…
Return to physical activity postpartum
The postpartum transition (from childbirth to one-year postpartum) is among the most challenging identity shifts for women. Physical activity has the capacity to reconnect women with their new bodies, while improving mental health. With education and support, more women can safely resume physical activity after childbirth and benefit from improved well-being.
Postpartum return to movement
For women in the postpartum period, returning to physical activity should be a gradual process. Women who physically overextend themselves too soon after giving birth may experience delays in recovery. Low-impact activities, like walking, swimming or stretching, offer a great starting point for returning to movement.
Pregnancy and high performance sport
New Canadian research shows that the average age of first-time mothers among a sample of female high performance athletes (33 years) was 3.5 years older than the Canadian average. Women athletes often face a dilemma about whether to continue a sporting career or start a family. It is important for athletes, coaches and healthcare professionals…
Exercise and pregnancy
Exercising during pregnancy can have many benefits for a pregnant woman’s health. Staying active helps reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension, and lowers postpartum recovery time. To see the benefits of exercise, healthy pregnant women need 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. This can include a mix of aerobic activity, such as…
Navigating motherhood in high performance sport
“As an athlete, you’re always thinking about yourself. Then my daughter, Kate, comes along and that whole perspective totally changes. I had to make every moment count, whether I was being a mom with Kate, or training at the gym,” says 2-time Olympian, Mandy Bujold. The Canadian boxer discusses her fight to earn a spot…
Inspiring women to be active
Being active in midlife and menopause can be life-changing for women, but many experience barriers to getting active. The sport sector can help women in this life stage by expanding opportunities for physical activity, creating judgment-free zones, and offering social support. Expanding the image of what ‘sporty’ means can further inspire women to be active.