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Christopher SM, Donnelly G, Brockwell E, Bo K, Davenport MH, De Vivo M, Dufour S, Forner L, Mills H, Moore IS, Olson A, Deering RE. Clinical and exercise professional opinion of return-to-running readiness after childbirth: an international Delphi study and consensus statement. Br J Sports Med 2024; 58:299-312. [PMID: 38148108 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Female athletes have identified a lack of guidance as a barrier to successfully returning to running postpartum, and existing guidelines are vague. Our aim was to define the current practice of determining postpartum run-readiness through a consensus survey of international clinicians and exercise professionals in postpartum exercise to assist clinicians and inform sport policy changes.A three-round Delphi approach was used to gain international consensus from clinicians and exercise professionals on run-readiness postpartum. Professionals who work with postpartum runners participated in an online survey to answer open-ended questions about the following postpartum return-to-running topics: definitions (runner and postpartum), key biopsychosocial milestones that runners need to meet, recommended screening, timeline to initiate running, support items, education topics and factors that contribute to advising against running. Consensus was defined as ≥75% participant agreement.One hundred and eighteen professionals participated in round I, 107 participated in round II (response rate 90.6%) and 95 participated in round III (response rate 80.5%). Responses indicated that, following a minimum 3-week period of rest and recovery, an individualised timeline and gradual return to running progression can be considered. Screening for medical and psychological concerns, current physical capacity, and prior training history is recommended prior to a return to running.This study proposes recommendations for the initial guidance on return-to-running postpartum, framed in the context of current research and consensus from professionals. Future research is needed to strengthen and validate specific recommendations and develop guidelines for best practice when returning-to-running after childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shefali Mathur Christopher
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Tufts University, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Elon University, Elon, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gráinne Donnelly
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Kari Bo
- Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - Margie H Davenport
- Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marlize De Vivo
- Perinatal Physical Activity Research Group, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Section of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK
- Active Pregnancy Foundation, None, UK
| | - Sinead Dufour
- The World of my Baby (WOMB), Faculty of Health Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lori Forner
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hayley Mills
- Perinatal Physical Activity Research Group, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Section of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK
| | - Isabel S Moore
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Rita E Deering
- Department of Physical Therapy, Carroll University, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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