Physical activity in pregnancy: practical advice for women who run

Running is embraced globally as a pastime to keep fit and health, and yet there is little information for midwives to give to women runners. Running is, according to Audickas (2017), the most common participation sport in the UK, but there is very little evidence about the specific needs of women who run during pregnancy and who return to running in the postnatal period. Midwives have a responsibility to encourage woman to adopt healthy behaviours such as exercise during pregnancy and as they move into motherhood.

The Department of Health's (2011a) ‘Start Active, Stay Active’ strategy recommends that adults should be active everyday and should complete at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week. Alternatively, similar health benefits can be achieved through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Moderate intensity activity is an activity that results in faster breathing, whereas vigorous intensity activity can be described as activity that results in a faster heartbeat quickly and it is more difficult to have a conversation (Department of Health, 2011b).