PHYSICAL EXERCISE PRESCRIPTIONS/ GUIDELINES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
As the effects of healthy lifestyle are well known and supported by studies that show it is safe for both mother and fetus, physical exercise is recommended activity for pregnant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [27] recom- mends that all healthy pregnant women follow the American College of Sports Medicine-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?s general guide- lines for physical exercise by engaging in 30 min or more of moderate physical activity per day in the majority or preferably all days of the week [28]. Women who were active before pregnancy may continue their activities, but change intensity and frequency over the course of pregnancy [27,28].
Other guidelines for physical exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period have been published, such as the Canadian guidelines for exer- cise during pregnancy in 2003 [29], and the recom- mendations of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2006 [30]. Some researchers argue for the necessity of incorporating strength training and muscle conditioning, revising the defi- nition of moderate exercise, and increasing the amount of vigorous intensity exercises and weekly physical activity expenditure [31&].