Moms on the move: A qualitative exploration of a postpartum group exercise program on physical activity behaviour at three distinct time points

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Physical activity (PA) after the birth of a child is associated with improved physical and mental health benefits. The aim of the study was to explore new mothers’ experiences of PA before and after participation in a group-based PA program for new mothers. The study has three research questions: how new mothers felt; 1) about PA after the birth of their child 2) about engaging in a group-based PA program and 3) after the program ended about ongoing PA engagement.

Methods

We conducted an 8-week bi-weekly PA program for postpartum women. To understand the experience of postpartum women engaging in a group-based PA program we conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews before, after, and at 6-month follow-up.

Results

Of the n = 21 participants in the Moms on the Move study; n = 17 completed pre interviews.s. One primary theme emerged from pre-program interviews where mothers shared how they were lost as to where to start PA. Post-program interviews produced two primary themes; engaging in PA helped mothers, and mothers learned to rethink PA.

Conclusions

Postpartum women who participated in this group-based PA program had positive benefits to their mental and physical health and were able to alter their PA behaviour.

KEYWORDS:

• Postpartum
• exercise
• mental health
• identity
• physical activity

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the mothers and babies who engaged in this exercise program as well as Hannah Bilmer for her assistance in the research. Instructor training in Les Mills TONE^TM and exercise equipment for the intervention was provided by Les Mills International.

Disclosure statement

Funding for this study (exercise equipment, training of the group fitness instructor) was provided by Les Mills International. However, the funding source was not involved in study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the article for publication.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Les Mills International .

Notes on contributors

Iris A. Lesser

Iris Lesser is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of the Fraser Valley and a Certified Exercise Physiologist and Pre-Postnatal Exercise Specialist with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology. Dr. Lesser completed her BSc. Honours Kinesiology at Dalhousie University, her Master of Science in Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, and her doctoral degree in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. Her research area focuses on providing innovative physical activity opportunities to populations which are challenged with physical activity engagement including postpartum women, cancer survivors, older adults and the South Asian population.

Carl P. Nienhuis

Carl Nienhuis is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of the Fraser Valley. Dr. Nienhuis completed his BA (Kinesiology) at the University College of the Fraser Valley, and his Masters in Human Kinetics (Sport and Exercise Psychology) and doctoral degree (Human Kinetics) from the University of Ottawa. He has been instructing at UFV since 2012, primarily in the field of sport and exercise psychology, and maintains an applied consulting practice in the field of sport, exercise and performance psychology. His multidisciplinary research interests primarily explore the psychosocial sciences of sport, physical activity and health.

Gillian L. Hatfield

Gillian Hatfield is an Associate Professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, in the School of Kinesiology. She has a BSc degree from Mount Allison University, and physiotherapy, MSc (Rehabilitation Research), and PhD (Biomedical Engineering) degrees from Dalhousie University. She has been at the University of the Fraser Valley since 2016, where she teaches Introduction to Biomechanics, Applied Biomechanics, and Introduction to Athletic Injuries courses. Gillian’s research interests lie in biomechanics and muscle activation patterns in clinical populations, such as people with knee osteoarthritis or low back pain. She is particularly interested in the effect of exercise interventions on biomechanical risk factors for progression. Outside of academia, Gillian has been a group fitness instructor for 10 years, teaching programs created by Les Mills International. She has recently been incorporating these fitness programs into her research and has studied the effect of a core strengthening group exercise program on trunk muscle strength, endurance, and activation, and the effect of a group fitness intervention on postpartum mental health.