Author(s): TROTONDA, F., CABEDO, J., GUERRA, M., Institution: UNIVERSITAT RAMON LLUL, BARCELONA, Country: SPAIN, Abstract-ID: 2375

INTRODUCTION:
Currently, the guidelines regarding the intensity and frequency of exercise in pregnant women are contradictory, and some studies about its effects on the mother and fetus are controversial (1,2). The aim of this study was to follow-up a pregnant woman during the 2nd and 3rd trimester applying an adapted training program.
METHODS:
A pregnant woman (39 y, 60.5 kg, 162cm) participated during the 2nd and 3rd trimester in a training program which consisted of at least 3 sessions per week, 60 min per session, during a 6-month period. It included strength, aerobic capacity, mobility, breathing and pelvic floor exercises. Assessments of the following variables were obtained at pre-intervention, after the second trimester and after birth: weight, height, belly diameter, hip diameter, waist diameter, aerobic endurance, lower trunk strength, balance, back flexibility, hamstring flexibility, thoracic amplitude when inhaling and exhaling, abdominal diastasis, low back pain (LBP) and mood applying the POMS questionnaire.
RESULTS:
As expected, weight increased during pregnancy and decreased after giving birth (60.5/65/57kg), the same as belly (87/90/82cm), waist (85/85/74cm), and hip perimeter (94/94/91cm). Balance improved after the intervention, including post-partum (Flamingo test: 1.28’’R/27’’L; 1.30’’R/1.30’’L;1.30’’R/1.30’’L). The 6MWT showed contradictory HRpeak response pre intervention, 2nd , and 3rd trimester (100/106/133bpm), distance first increased (270/360/290m), and after giving birth decreased. Fatigue increased during pregnancy, and decreased a lot post-partum (Borg Scale: 4/8/3RPE). Thoracic amplitude remained stable. Abdominal distance appeared after birth (1.5 cm), although not considered as diastasis. There was no low back pain. Strength improved significantly after post-partum (30’’sit to stand, number of squats: 20/20/25).
CONCLUSION:
The adapted training program for pregnant women was positive and did not affect the fetus. The main improvement was seen in strength, balance, and low back pain. More research is needed applying the intervention program in a larger sample.