EXERCISE, POSTURE, AND BACK PAIN DURING PREGNANCY .2. EXERCISE AND BACK PAIN

In this article the effect of exercise on pregnancy-related back pain is reported. Sixty five pregnant volunteers were included in the study , of whom 27 were enrolled in exercise classes designed according to C anadian guidelines, and 38 acted as sedentary controls. Back pain and functional limitations were assessed every 4 weeks during pregnancy an d 4 months postpartum by questionnaires. No significant differences in back pain or functional limitations reported by the two groups were f ound. The biomechanical factors measured in this study, weight, back p osture, and laxity, were unable to explain most of the variation in pa in reported. Relevance This study showed that fitness classes for preg nant women designed according to Canadian guidelines had no detectable effect on back pain during pregnancy. If prevention of pregnancy-rela ted back pain is sought through exercise, design of fitness programmes for pregnant women should be reconsidered.