Impact of postpartum physical activity on maternal anthropometrics: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between postpartum exercise and maternal postpartum anthropometrics. DESIGN: Systematic review with random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Online databases were searched from database inception until 12 January 2024. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) written in any language were eligible if they contained information on the population (postpartum women and people); intervention (frequency, intensity, duration, volume or type of exercise, alone ('exercise-only') or in combination with other interventions (eg, dietary; 'exercise+cointervention')); comparator (no exercise) and outcomes (anthropometric measures including weight, postpartum weight retention (PPWR), body mass index (BMI), fat mass, lean body mass (LBM), body fat percentage, waist circumference, hip circumference or waist-hip ratio). RESULTS: 0%) compared with no exercise. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight physical activity as an effective intervention to improve postpartum anthropometrics and reduce PPWR. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022359282.