Resistance Training for Postpartum

(RT after APOs Trial)

Overseen By Marnie McLean, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Multiple birth, Age, Pregnancy, Exercise ability, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate how resistance training (a type of exercise) can benefit individuals who recently had a baby and experienced complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or preterm birth. Participants will perform resistance exercises twice a week for four weeks. The trial is ideal for those who are 3-15 months postpartum, had one baby with complications, and are not currently meeting exercise guidelines. Sessions will occur at the University of Michigan, and participants must attend sessions there. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how exercise can aid postpartum recovery.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that resistance training is safe for postpartum individuals?

Studies have shown that resistance training during and after pregnancy is generally safe. Research indicates that heavy resistance exercises during pregnancy do not affect typical pregnancy outcomes or pelvic floor health. Pregnant athletes who engaged in these exercises experienced healthy pregnancies and delivered healthy babies.

Exercise during pregnancy, including resistance training, carries minimal risks and benefits most women. Both mother and baby tolerate high-intensity resistance exercises well. These findings suggest that resistance training is safe and beneficial after childbirth, even for those who experienced complications during pregnancy. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about resistance training for postpartum recovery because it offers a natural and empowering alternative to traditional treatments like medications or passive therapies. Unlike other approaches that primarily focus on rest or medication, resistance training actively engages muscles and promotes strength-building, which can help new mothers regain physical function more quickly. Additionally, this form of exercise can improve mental well-being by boosting mood and reducing postpartum depression symptoms, offering a holistic benefit that many standard treatments do not address.

What evidence suggests that resistance training might be an effective treatment for postpartum adverse pregnancy outcomes?

Research has shown that strength training, which participants in this trial will engage in, benefits women after childbirth, especially those who experienced complications during pregnancy. Studies indicate that this exercise can increase strength and help women return to their pre-pregnancy fitness levels more quickly. It can also improve mood and overall quality of life. Additionally, exercising after childbirth enhances heart health, which is important for recovery. These benefits suggest that strength training could effectively support recovery after having a baby. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Abbi Lane, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for postpartum individuals aged 18-45 who had a single baby and experienced adverse pregnancy outcomes like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. Participants must be 3-15 months postpartum, able to exercise, willing to do resistance training twice weekly for four weeks, and can visit the University of Michigan's School of Kinesiology.

Inclusion Criteria

Are not currently pregnant

Had an adverse pregnancy outcome/medical complication in your most recent pregnancy, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction or low birth weight baby, or preterm birth

Your doctor told you that you are able to participate in exercise

Exclusion Criteria

Had a multiple birth (twins, triplets, etc) in your most recent pregnancy

Are currently pregnant

Are unable to exercise or have been told by a healthcare provider not to exercise

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Assessment

Participants have height and weight measured and complete one exercise session including a warm-up, resistance training, and cool-down with stretching

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants perform a resistance training program over 4 weeks with daily communication to report compliance

4 weeks

Daily virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feedback on the exercise program and self-efficacy through surveys and interviews

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Resistance Training

Trial Overview The study tests a resistance training program tailored for those with recent adverse pregnancy outcomes. It involves completing exercises twice a week for four weeks while communicating daily about adherence to the regimen.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Resistance training

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

Women's Health Innovation Fund

Collaborator

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11193983/

Benefits of Resistance Training During Pregnancy for ... Concerning fetal health, resistance training increases uterine blood flow, decreases the risk of neonatal macrosomia, and improves cognitive ...

2. acog.org acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period

Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the ... Observational studies of women who exercise during pregnancy have shown benefits such as decreased gestational diabetes mellitus, cesarean birth and operative ...

3. scholarsarchive.byu.edu scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3315&context=etd

The Effects of Resistance Training on Strength and Body ... The following five outcomes may be applicable to postpartum women: 1) resistance training may increase strength outcomes or increase the speed of returning to ...

4. obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aogs.15122

Effects of strength training on quality of life in pregnant women ... Strength training during pregnancy offers unique benefits, including reduced excessive weight gain, alleviated pain, improved mood, and enhanced health-related ...

5. jospt.org jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2024.12666

Encouraging New Moms to Move More—Are We Missing ... FINDINGS: Exercise interventions may improve cardiovascular fitness, and have an unclear effect of physical activity levels postpartum. Despite ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36331580/

Impact of heavy resistance training on pregnancy and ... Individuals who engaged in heavy prenatal resistance training had typical perinatal and pelvic floor health outcomes that were not altered.

7. journals.humankinetics.com journals.humankinetics.com/abstract/journals/wspaj/33/1/article-wspaj.2025-0010.xml

Safety of Heavy Resistance Exercise During Pregnancy ... In this study, pregnant power-athletes who comply with heavy resistance exercise during pregnancy have healthy pregnancies, children, and ...

8. bjsm.bmj.com bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/3/159

Maternal and fetal responses to acute high-intensity ... Our findings suggest that high-intensity resistance exercises are well tolerated by both mother and fetus, including while using the Valsalva manoeuvre.