The Effects of Exercise Training During Pregnancy

Overview

Pregnancy is a physiological event that lasts for an average of 280 days or 40 weeks, starting with the embryo formed by the combination of ovum and sperm ready for fertilization. Many anatomical, physiological, social and psychological changes occur in the mother's body during pregnancy. In order to better adapt to these changes and to minimize problems during pregnancy, it is very beneficial for pregnants who do not have medical or obstetric risk to increase their physical activity level and exercise. Training programs created in light of the physical activity guidelines prepared specifically for the gestation period during pregnancy should be followed. For this purpose, pregnant programs have been organized routinely as a group exercise two days a week in Hacettepe University, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Faculty, Women's \& Men's Health Unit since 1990. The scope of this exercise program includes posture and body mechanics training, strengthening the lower and upper extremities, strengthening the abdominal and back muscles, pelvic floor exercises and breathing exercises. In one training session, 20 different exercises are performed and one session lasts about 60 minutes. For pregnant women with time limitations, sessions with less exercise and lasting about 30 minutes are held. Trainings are started in the 16th week of pregnancy and terminated in the 32nd week. Pregnant women who cannot participate in this group exercise program for personal reasons are given recommendations as home programs. In the literature; There is no specific guide on the type of exercise, intensity, and frequency of the exercise that can affect the thickness of the trunk stabilizer muscles during pregnancy, improve functionality and quality of life. With this study, it is planned to investigate the effects of the exercise protocol applied on the thickness, functionality and quality of life of the body stabilizer muscles in pregnant women who routinely participate in the short or long group exercise program, which starts from the 16th week of pregnancy until the 32nd week of the week. In addition, the pregnant women, who could not participate in the short or long group exercise program and started their home program until the 32nd week of pregnancy and made their routine follow-ups, will be evaluated in the 16th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy. At the end of this study; The change between body stabilizer muscle thickness, functionality and quality of life will be examined in three different groups, which continue routine short or long pregnant exercises and who can not participate in group exercise and follow up with the home program. In addition, data on trunk stabilizer muscle thickness, functionality and quality of life obtained from these three different groups will be compared. Thus, the literature will provide evidence of effective exercise protocols on trunk stabilizer muscle thickness, functionality and quality of life.