Strength Training in Pregnancy
Why we need to change the dialogue
Athletes are paving the way forward in exercise during pregnancy! The Paris Olympics showed multiple pregnant athletes competing at the highest level of global competition which bodes the question, how heavy is too heavy when it comes to lifting in pregnancy? Join us as Elisha explores the guidelines (past and present), analyses the most recent literature and deep dives into why every pregnant client deserves individualised exercise prescription. Come away from this webinar feeling empowered to guide your clients appropriately towards resistance training during their pregnancies.
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Learning Outcomes
1. The guidelines & gaps in the evidence
- Explore the past and present guidelines and understand how they were devloped
2. Pregnancy related anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology - refresher
- Review the deep pelvic floor musculature, postural adaptations and the incredible changes that occur in the cardiovascular, metabolic & MSK systems during pregnancy
3. Contraindications & safety - refresher
- Understand the risks associated with exercise and why certain contraindications and safety precautions exist
- Explore the past and present guidelines and understand how they were devloped
2. Pregnancy related anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology - refresher
- Review the deep pelvic floor musculature, postural adaptations and the incredible changes that occur in the cardiovascular, metabolic & MSK systems during pregnancy
3. Contraindications & safety - refresher
- Understand the risks associated with exercise and why certain contraindications and safety precautions exist
- Be able to appropriately educate each individual client on their unique risk profile and inform them when to cease exercise
4. Research updates
- Explore the latest research regarding strength training for pelvic floor function, lumbopelvic and/or pelvic girdle pain
- Deep dive into the current research surrounding heavy lifting and high intensity exercise during pregnancy. Explore how heavy lifting in certain populations is extremely beneficial.
4. Research updates
- Explore the latest research regarding strength training for pelvic floor function, lumbopelvic and/or pelvic girdle pain
- Deep dive into the current research surrounding heavy lifting and high intensity exercise during pregnancy. Explore how heavy lifting in certain populations is extremely beneficial.
5. Clinical application
- Safely and effectively screen all pregnant clients and ascertain an appropriate prescription level for each individual
- Prescribe effective and high quality individualised strength training programs for all pregnant clients
Meet the speaker
Elisha Bunch
Elisha is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with 8yrs clinical experience and a keen interest in educating the next generation of AEPs. After obtaining a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of QLD in 2014, Elisha began her career in a musculoskeletal clinic. It was there she discovered that treating women is very different to treating men and struggled to find ways to upskill in the area of Women’s Health. Her passion for Women’s Health led her to her next clinical role at Pear Exercise Physiology and Physiotherapy, where she was privileged to work with an incredible team of women’s health practitioners. Whilst at Pear, she began working with the Women’s Health Collective and began phasing out of clinical work (for now) to become a Director at the WHC in 2023.
Elisha is passionate about teaching the next generation of AEPs that women need to be treated differently to men. She is driven to ensure that female specific health conditions become a permanent feature in the undergraduate syllabus and that all practitioners understand the unique physiological needs of women. Having two young daughters of her own, she hopes for a better future in the research and application of Women’s Health.
Patrick Jones - Course author
The WHC acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagera people of the First Nation as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin (Brisbane). They have resided here long before us and possess valuable traditional wisdom and healthcare knowledge. Our office is situated on their lands, where we gather, work, and learn.
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