Exercise Program for Pregnant Women
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a structured exercise program for pregnant women to determine if it promotes more activity than usual prenatal care alone. It aims to support healthy pregnancies by using community settings like fitness centers to deliver safe and effective workouts. The program, called Community Expecting, includes aerobic exercise and resistance training, designed to be practical for both participants and community providers. This trial suits pregnant women over 18 with a BMI of 30 or higher who aren't currently getting 150 minutes of exercise per week. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance prenatal care for future mothers.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this exercise program is safe for pregnant women?
Research shows that regular exercise during pregnancy is safe and beneficial for both mothers and their babies. Studies have found that exercise programs like COMMUNITY EXPECTING, which include activities to improve heart health and build strength, are well-received when they follow established pregnancy exercise guidelines.
In past studies, pregnant women who followed similar exercise routines experienced positive results with very few negative effects. For example, exercising three to four times a week was linked to a lower risk of developing gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. These programs, tested in community settings, proved practical and well-accepted by participants.
Overall, evidence supports that exercise during pregnancy, as organized in the COMMUNITY EXPECTING program, is safe and can positively impact the health of both mother and child.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the "Community Expecting" exercise program for pregnant women because it offers a structured and supportive approach to physical activity during pregnancy. Unlike standard care, which typically involves general advice from doctors, this program provides personalized sessions with certified trainers in small groups, fostering motivation and consistency. The inclusion of body weight exercises and resistance bands allows for a safe, effective, and adaptable workout routine that can help expecting mothers maintain their health and well-being.
What evidence suggests that the COMMUNITY EXPECTING program is effective for pregnant women?
Research shows that exercising during pregnancy can help women gain a healthy amount of weight and reduce their risk of pregnancy-related diabetes and high blood pressure. Studies have found that exercise programs encourage more pregnant women to stay active. For instance, over 70% of women in a community exercise program reported meeting most of their exercise goals and expressed high satisfaction with the program. Group exercise programs have also led to better health for both mothers and babies. In this trial, participants in the "Exercise" arm will engage in structured exercise programs, such as COMMUNITY EXPECTING, which supports healthy pregnancies in everyday life. Meanwhile, participants in the "Control" arm will receive standard care and are encouraged to follow their doctor's recommendations for physical activity.13678
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
Citations
Community Expecting: Exercise During Pregnancy
Research over the past decade shows that exercise can help pregnant women gain a healthy amount of weight, lower their risk of gestational ...
Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions on ...
Review findings demonstrated that physical activity interventions are effective in enhancing physical activity levels of pregnant women.
Interventions to increase self-reported physical activity ...
Only 52% of pregnant women achieve the recommended amount of physical activity throughout pregnancy. Many studies have aimed to improve ...
Evaluation of implementing a community-based exercise ...
For 71.7%, self-reported exercise dosage was ≥75% of the twice-weekly exercise program and more than seven out of 10 reported to be satisfied or very satisfied ...
Can Group Exercise Programs Improve Health Outcomes ...
In 2015, a systematic review was provided to evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of group exercise programs in improving pregnant women's and newborns' ...
Can Group Exercise Programs Improve Health Outcomes ...
Current scientific evidence supports the recommendation to initiate or continue physical exercise in healthy pregnant women.
Adaptation of an exercise intervention for pregnant women ...
We have engaged an existing randomised trial of exercise for pregnant women, the Expecting intervention, which has shown strong compliance and promising ...
Impact of exercise training during pregnancy on maternal ...
Studies show exercising 3-4 times per week can increase your chances of normal delivery by 12% while reducing risks of gestational diabetes, pre ...
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