Aquatic exercise as medicine to treat women's pregnancy-related issues: mapping gaps and major findings
INTRODUCTION: It is commonly known that pregnant women undergo physiological, psychological, pharmacological, metabolic, and morphological changes. Research shows pregnant women could benefit from exercise-based interventions (e.g., Chan, Au Yeung, & Law, 2019). Also, it is well established that expectant women participating in water aerobics improve their mental and physical health (Ali, Azam, & Askry, 2020). This study highlighted the gaps and conclusions of two systematic investigations on aquatic activities and psychophysical issues in pregnant women. Both of those investigations focused on aquatic activities and pregnant women.
METHODS: We first conducted a qualitative analysis to highlight the gaps and then synthesised the data from the two systematic studies.
RESULTS: Both studies highlighted the lack of research comparing aquatic and land-based physical exercise or other activities on pregnant women. Both found positive effects of water exercise on pregnant women. Water activities may improve physical pain, mental health, quality of life, sleep, and weight gain in pregnant women (Ali et al., 2020). Aquatic fitness programs help pregnant women regulate their heart rates, balance, and glucose levels, according to Cancela-Carral and co-researchers (2022).
DISCUSSION: Throughout pregnancy, women frequently have emotional and physical difficulties. Aquatic exercise can help manage these psychological and physiological changes. Anxiety, depression, stress, body image dissatisfaction, and general well-being have witnessed considerable reductions. Prenatal aquatic exercise programs may help pregnant women reduce physical pain, improve positive psychological outcomes, and reduce negative psychological symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: Aquatic exercise may help with physical pain, psychological issues, and maternal weight gain. Water exercise or paired land activity (e.g., walking) throughout pregnancy improves the mother's physical and mental health.
© Copyright 2023 XIVth International Symposium on Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming Proceedings. Published by evoletics Media. All rights reserved.
| Subjects: | |
|---|---|
| Notationen: | biological and medical sciences social sciences |
| Published in: | XIVth International Symposium on Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming Proceedings |
| Format: | Compilation Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Leipzig
evoletics Media
2023
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| Online Access: | https://open-archive.sport-iat.de/bms/14_149_Azam_Aquatic.pdf |
| Seiten: | 527-531 |
| Level: | advanced |