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Supporting Safe Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Pelvic Floor Outcomes From the Pregnancy 24/7 Study
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Supporting Safe Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Pelvic Floor Outcomes From the Pregnancy 24/7 Study

Lisa VanWiel, Jacob Gallagher, Zoe Sirotiak, Christina Shutters, Bethany Barone Gibbs and Kara Whitaker
Journal of athletic training
05/12/2026
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0723.25
url
https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0723.25View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Context: Pelvic floor dysfunction is highly prevalent following pregnancy and childbirth and negatively impacts maternal health. However, there are conflicting findings regarding associations of physical activity and pelvic floor dysfunction, suggesting that both underloading and overloading the pelvic floor during pregnancy may be associated with postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Objective: Assess the associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior during pregnancy with the development of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study of pregnant individuals in the United States. Patients or Other Participants: Participants were included in this study if they had completed the parent study (Pregnancy 24/7) and had complete physical activity and birth data. Inclusion criteria for the parent study were age of 18-45 and gestational age <13 weeks at the time of study enrollment. Exclusion criteria included cardiovascular or metabolic disease or conditions which severely limited physical activity. Main Outcome Measures: This prospective cohort study (N=486) captured device-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior across pregnancy trimesters and assessed postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction via medical chart abstraction. Logistic regression models analyzed the association between moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, light intensity physical activity, and sedentary behavior in each trimester with the development of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Results: After adjustment for covariates, no association was found between pregnancy physical activity behaviors and postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Differences in pelvic floor diagnosis rates were associated with income, education, marital status, and delivery mode. Conclusions: Athletic trainers working with pregnant athletes should continue to promote physical activity to individual tolerance as findings support evidence that pregnancy physical activity is well tolerated by the pelvic floor. Demographic findings highlight a need for standardized screening and referral practices for postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction.
 Pregnancy pelvic floor postpartum

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