Key result
Exercise interventions in postpartum women improved cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD 0.65; 95% CI 0.20-1.10) but had no effect on physical activity levels (SMD -0.13; 95% CI -0.53-0.26).
Why the study?
It was unclear whether current exercise interventions effectively improve physical activity levels or cardiorespiratory fitness in postpartum women.
Do exercise interventions improve physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness in postpartum women?
Meta-Analysis
Do exercise interventions improve physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness in postpartum women?
Postpartum exercise interventions improve cardiorespiratory fitness but do not significantly increase overall physical activity levels, highlighting a need for better-designed behavioral interventions.
Exercise may raise postpartum CRF without lifting PA levels; high-bias trials leave optimal dosing and long-term adherence open.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if current exercise interventions were effective at improving physical activity (PA) levels and/or cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in postpartum women. DESIGN: Intervention systematic review with meta-analysis. LITERATURE SEARCH: CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to March 2024. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Participants: postpartum women; intervention: exercise; control: standard care; outcomes: PA levels and/or CRF. DATA SYNTHESIS: Random effects meta-analysis using standardized mean differences (SMDs). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies – Intervention (ROBINS-I). RESULTS: A total of 6041 studies were screened, and 29 were eligible for inclusion. Nineteen studies with adequate control data included outcomes related to PA levels (n = 12) or CRF (n = 7) and were pooled in meta-analyses. There was a small to moderate improvement in CRF (SMD, 0.65; 95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.20, 1.10; I2 = 61%). There was no improvement in PA levels (SMD, −0.13; 95% CI: −0.53, 0.26; I2 = 90%). Frequency, intensity, type, and time of the exercise interventions varied. Twenty-three studies were at high or serious risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum exercise interventions may improve CRF but have an unclear effect on PA levels. Despite numerous exercise interventions to improve health outcomes postpartum, parameters were inconsistent. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(11):687-701. Epub 9 October 2024. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12666
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Schulz et al. (2024) conducted a meta-analysis in Postpartum. Exercise interventions vs. Standard care was evaluated on Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (SMD 0.65, 95% CI 0.20, 1.10). Exercise interventions in postpartum women improved cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD 0.65; 95% CI 0.20-1.10) but had no effect on physical activity levels (SMD -0.13; 95% CI -0.53-0.26).
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