Impact of physical activity on postural stability in pregnant and postpartum women

Purpose Regular physical activity is recommended by the WHO for women in the perinatal period as one of the basic factors determining the physiological course of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. The study aimed to identify the relationship between regular physical training of pregnant women, carried out in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and postural stability during the perinatal period. Methods 58 women in the first trimester of pregnancy took part in the study and were divided into two groups according to their own choice. The exercise group participated in physical training three times a week during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The non-exercise group did not engage in additional physical activity. All subjects underwent three postural stability tests using a stabilograph. Results In assessing posture stability parameters, significant differences were found only in body coordination in the active group of women. The exercise group showed statistically significantly lower values of the stabilogram parameters (better postural stability) obtained postpartum compared to those taken during pregnancy. There were no significant differences between the results taken during pregnancy. In the group of non-exercising women, no significant differences were observed between the second measurement during pregnancy and the measurement made postpartum. Conclusions It has been shown that physical activity has a significant impact on improving the coordination of women during pregnancy and postpartum. Women participating in regular physical training were characterised by smaller stabilogram deflections and better postural control compared to the control group.