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Sports and pregnancy: for years women have been told how and how much the marriage was incompatible. Faithful to the ancient conception that being pregnant was equivalent to a pathology, any physical activity was forbidden. From the first day of pregnancy it was strongly advised against running, swimming, cycling, lifting weights. Forgetting among other things that for centuries women have worked hard (out of necessity) for nine months, arriving at childbirth without problems, with some exceptions.
Times are changing and today the “mum to be”, advised and assisted by competent people (doctors, athletic trainers, nutritionists) often continue to play sports even during pregnancy. But there are still many, too many, clichés and misconceptions on the subject.
SPORT AND PREGNANCY: THE CONI-CHICCO STUDY
CONI and Chicco have drawn up a study on effects that sports activity in pregnancy and its recovery after childbirth have on professional athletes. Then extending the discussion to sports in general. To confirm that sport is not only not contraindicated, but absolutely beneficial.
“Sports activity, whether it is an athlete or a non-athlete woman, in the absence of pathologies, must be considered as a tool useful for the protection of the health of the mother and the newborn. Active life and physical exercise during and after pregnancy, in safety and with the support of competent people and specific indications, means, in fact, greater health both for the child and for the mother, even in the resumption of one’s profession “.
SPORT AND PREGNANCY: THE DOCTOR’S OPINION
There Dr. Diana Bianchedi (Games Project Director Olympic Winter Games Milan Cortina 2026), who collaborated with the studio, said: “This study was created to improve knowledge on a subject that is still little known and studied and has set itself the ambitious goal, starting from the experiences of athletes, to bring to light useful and valid conclusions also for all women who practice non-competitive sports and wish to have a child. In the absence of medical contraindications, there is no reason for them to abandon their passion, just as there is no reason for a mother to overshadow her ambitions in life. There are women who have won the Olympics after becoming pregnant! A strong point therefore emerges from this research empowerment message for all women, regardless of their profession. As an athlete, a mother and a woman, I am happy to have taken part in it and to collaborate in spreading this awareness, because I believe that the victory of a mother, in any field, represents the victory of the whole society as a whole. And as a doctor, with a thesis in gynecology, I invite all colleagues to use physical activity as a tool to give health to mothers and children“.
SPORT AND PREGNANCY: STUDY ON ATHLETES
Based on the experience of athletes of the Italian Olympic team, a study was carried out to improve knowledge on this topic, in order to draw conclusions valid for all women wishing to have a baby. The data obtained from this analysis, in fact, may be useful not only for high-level athletes but also for all women who play non-competitive sports. The goal is to determine suitable behavior patterns in the context of physical activity during pregnancy, so that future mothers can benefit from the relative benefits both in the gestation period and in the post-partum period.
The results of the research were presented on May 4, 2021 in Rome in the presence of Giovanni Malagò, President of CONI, and of Claudio De Conto, Chief Executive Officer of the Artsana Group
The study was conducted on 55 Olympic athletes who had children during their racing careers and proved that athletes can continue to train during pregnancy by doing sports, under the supervision of professionals, in complete safety, then returning to training and competitions at a high level.
SPORT AND PREGNANCY: FREE GO FOR ATHLETE MOMS
Giovanni Malagò underlined: “We are engaged in many initiatives related to dual career, but in this case the concept is anticipated, with the aim of support the athlete mom through the knowledge of the stories of those who have had children and returned to being a protagonist at a competitive level. The elements and data provided by this study can help accompany women along the path, supporting their action ”.
He echoes him Claudio De Conto: ”Let’s start with the example of the athletes to give a positive message to all women: theirs professional and personal goals are not and must not be incompatible with motherhood. Each of us can do our part so that women are no longer faced with a choice between athlete or mother, because an athlete can also be a mother
SPORT AND PREGNANCY: THE STUDY’S NUMBERS
A team of experts composed of 3 sports doctors, a gynecologist, two athletic trainers and a statistical analyst (Prof. Diana Bianchedi, Dr. Erica lemme, Dr. Adele de Matti, Prof. Giovanna Testa, Cristian Borrazzo, Luca Bonaguidi, Annalisa Coltorti).
They were included in the study 55 athletes of the Olympic national team with an average age at conception of 31.0 +/- 4.3 years (19-41).
The infants at birth had a mean Apgar value of 9.8, a mean weight of 3.2 kg, and a length of 51 cm. The average number of days the mother was hospitalized was 3, and new mothers breastfed their children for 90% of cases.
The athletes returned to competitive activity on average 7 months after the birth of the child, with the first competition on average one year after birth. 50.6% of the athletes returned to competitions of international level. 40% of the athletes returned to the podium. 30% of the athletes won a gold medal.
SPORT AND PREGNANCY: STUDY CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that female athletes can continue to train safely during pregnancy and after childbirth with a gradual recovery if you follow all the way.
Many athletes after a pregnancy and with studied and dedicated workouts not only have reached the same level but often have improved their performance.
The study also shows that the conscious choice of a pregnancy must be protected from all points of view e sporting activity, whether it is an athlete or a non-athlete woman, in the absence of pathologies, must be considered as one useful tool for the protection of the health of the mother and the newborn.
Active life / training during and after pregnancy, in safety and with the support of competent people and specific indications means greater health for both the baby and the mother, then more strength to return to the profession, not just that of the athlete.
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