Postpartum Exercise Intervention (NCT07613333)
Influence of a Supervised Postpartum Exercise Program on Maternal Physical Activity Levels and Musculoskeletal Health
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The postpartum period is associated with decreases in physical activity levels, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and pelvic floor muscle function, but little scientific evidence exists on how best to initiate and progress exercise in the postpartum period. This proposal aims to improve habitual physical activity levels, neuromuscular health (i.e., strength, fatigability, symptom burden) and overall wellbeing (i.e., decreased fear of movement, improved sleep quality, improved perception of quality of life) through participation in a weekly exercise program. This study will help to inform postpartum exercise recommendations and is novel as it allows participants to incorporate their children into the exercise routine, thus removing a primary barrier to physical activity/exercise.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (2 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).
Location: Carroll University Center for Graduate Studies — Waukesha, Wisconsin
Age range: 18 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
- Progressive exercise (OTHER)
- Active Straight Leg Raise Test (DIAGNOSTIC_TEST)
- Active Straight Leg Raise Fatigue Task (OTHER)
- Lower Extremity Strength Testing (OTHER)
- Ultrasound imaging of abdominal wall (DIAGNOSTIC_TEST)
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength Testing (OTHER)
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Endurance Testing (OTHER)
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- less than 6 weeks postpartum or not medically appropriate to engage in exercise regardless of time since childbirth (will be screened using the Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum)
- prescription anti-inflammatory/pain medications that are taken daily;
- significant orthopedic conditions that would contraindicate performance of the fatigue task and participation in the exercise intervention (such as fractures, severe scoliosis, etc)
- moderate to severe cardiovascular \&/or pulmonary disease that contraindicates participation in exercise
- neuromuscular health conditions (such as diabetes, neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, seizures, etc);
- smoking/vaping or use of other tobacco or nicotine products (chewing tobacco, nicotine patches, nicotine gum, etc.)
- use of any illegal drugs
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Carroll University Center for Graduate Studies — Waukesha, Wisconsin
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (262) 951-3047
Email: deeringresearch@carrollu.edu
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Postpartum
- Novel Visual Education Tool to Improve Recognition and Reporting of Postpartum Urgent Maternal Warning Signs — Chicago, Illinois
- Excretion of Rivaroxaban in Human Breast Milk — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Digital Maternal Support Tool Implementation — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy as Part of the Postpartum Care Continuum — San Antonio, Texas
- HOPE-BP 2.0: Evaluating the Optimal Duration of Postpartum Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring — Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Drug Excretion in Breast Milk — Seattle, Washington
Explore by condition: All Postpartum clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.