Exercise and Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Evidence-Based Guidelines

This is the second edition of a well-received, practice oriented, multidisciplinary book filling the gap between evidence-based knowledge on the benefits of physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and postpartum and the implementation of exercise programs and related health promotion measures in pregnant women.

Readers will find up-to-date evidence on the psychological, social, physiological, body composition, musculoskeletal, and biomechanical changes that occur during pregnancy and their implications for physical activity and exercise. Further, the authors equip the reader with the latest guidelines and detailed description of exercise testing, prescription, selection and adaptation for pregnant and postpartum women, including those with clinical conditions.

This new edition has been thoroughly updated, and includes additional chapters focused on the pedagogical intervention in pre and postnatal exercise programs, exercise prescription and adaptation during postpartum and diet recommendations for the pregnant exerciser and athlete. 

Written by recognized experts in the field, the book aims to allay undue fears regarding the consequences of exercising during pregnancy. Moreover, it provides medical, sports, and fitness professionals both with the knowledge and the practical expertise needed to offer an optimal guidance on exercising to pregnant exercisers and athletes. 

Rita Santos Rocha is Associate Professor at the Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM) – Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (IPSantarém), Portugal, that she supervised as Director between 2011 and 2015, and as President of the Scientific Board between 2018 and 2022. She is Coordinator of the Master Degree in Physical Activity and Health and Professor of the Bachelor Degree in Sport, Fitness & Health (ESDRM), in Exercise Testing and Prescription, and Public Health and Physical Activity. Researcher of the Neuromechanics of Human Movement Group of CIPER (Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance) – Faculty of Human Kinetics (FMH) – University of Lisbon.

Professor Santos Rocha research interests are focused on gait biomechanics and the effects of physical activity and exercise programs on health and fitness parameters of pregnant and postpartum women, and other special populations. She was the leader of the EuropeActive’s Educational Standards for the Pregnancy and Postnatal Exercise Specialist published in 2016, which refers to European Qualification Framework. Professor Santos Rocha has been collaborating with the Professional Standards Committee of EuropeActive (former European Health & Fitness Association) since 2010, with the Scientific Board of the Gymnastics Federation of Portugal since 2006, and she was a founder member of the Portuguese Association of Exercise Physiologists (APFE) in 2018.

In the past, she worked as a fitness instructor, gymnastics and physical education teacher, and exercise physiologist, with people from 2 to 92 years old, including pregnant and postpartum women. She continues to work in the fitness industry as a training provider and supervisor of exercise professionals and students.