Exercise Program for Pregnant Women
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Regular physical activity during pregnancy is safe and offers many health benefits for both mothers and their babies. Research over the past decade shows that exercise can help pregnant women gain a healthy amount of weight, lower their risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, and reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of postpartum depression. Babies also benefit when their mothers are active, with lower risks of preterm birth, unhealthy birth size, and childhood obesity.
Despite this strong evidence, very few exercise programs for pregnant women have been tested in real-world community settings, such as fitness centers, community health programs, or local organizations. Even fewer studies explain how these programs were delivered or what helped them succeed. Without this information, it is difficult for communities and health programs to offer exercise support that is both effective and practical for pregnant women.
To address this gap, the research team adapted an evidence-based program called EXPECTING so it could be delivered by community organizations. Previous participants and community advisors helped to understand what changes were needed to make the program easier to offer while still keeping it safe and effective. The core parts of the program, including the type, amount, and intensity of aerobic and strength-building exercises, remained the same and are based on established pregnancy exercise guidelines.
The adapted program, called COMMUNITY EXPECTING, includes both aerobic exercise and resistance training. The research team also developed specific supports to help community instructors deliver the program consistently and with confidence. All program components have already been tested in community settings and shown to be realistic, acceptable, and delivered as planned.
This study will examine whether offering a structured exercise program in community settings helps pregnant women be more physically active than usual prenatal care alone. We will also assess whether the program can be delivered successfully and in a way that works for both participants and community providers. The results will help determine whether COMMUNITY EXPECTING is a practical approach for supporting healthy pregnancies in real-world settings.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Taren Swindle
Principal Investigator
University of Arkansas
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for pregnant women over 18 with a BMI ≥ 30 who aren't currently active for at least 150 minutes per week. It aims to see if structured exercise in community settings can increase physical activity and benefit both mothers and babies.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants engage in a structured exercise program, working out three times per week with a certified personal trainer, progressing to 45 minutes each session within the first 6 weeks.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including postpartum support and health assessments.
Postpartum Extension
Participants have the option to continue with the exercise program for up to 12 months postpartum.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Community Expecting
Trial Overview
The 'COMMUNITY EXPECTING' program, which includes aerobic exercises and resistance training adapted for pregnant women, is being tested against usual prenatal care to measure its effectiveness in promoting physical activity during pregnancy.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
In the intervention group, women exercise in small groups with a certified personal trainer who has passed a certification process related to the research and exercise protocol. Specifically, women in the intervention are asked to work out three times per week, progressing to 45 minutes each session within the first 6 weeks. Participant workouts are focused primarily on body weight exercises although participants also receive resistance bands for use in the workouts. Participants can choose to watch a recorded workout rather than attend a live session for 1 of their 3 workouts for the week.
Women receive standard care and encouraged to follow doctor's recommendations for physical activity
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute
Lead Sponsor
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