Exercise and Sporting Activity During Pregnancy: Evidence-Based Guidelines

This clinically and practice oriented, multidisciplinary book is intended to fill the gap between evidence-based knowledge on the benefits of physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and the implementation of exercise programmes and related health promotion measures in pregnant women. It will provide medical, sports, and fitness professionals both with the knowledge needed to allay undue fears regarding the consequences of exercising during pregnancy and with the practical expertise to offer optimal guidance on exercising to pregnant exercisers and athletes. 

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. Detailed descriptions are provided of the components of exercise testing and prescription for pregnant women, the current evidence-based and practice-oriented guidelines, and exercise selection and adaptation during pregnancy. Exercises specifically targeting musculoskeletal health are discussed separately, and a concluding chapter explains the nutritional requirements in pregnant women who exercise.

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. She is Coordinator of the Master Degree in Physical Activity in Special Populations 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. Deputy Director of the Research Unit of IPSantarém, Professor Santos Rocha has being involved in several research projects funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and other National and European bodies. Her research interests are focused on gait biomechanics and the effects of exercise programs on pregnant women, and other 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 holds a seat on the Scientific Board of the Gymnastics Federation of Portugal, and has being collaborating with the Professional Standards Committee of EuropeActive (former European Health & Fitness Association) since 2010.