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Influence of a supervised postpartum exercise program on maternal physical activity levels and musculoskeletal health

Award Number: R15HD117350
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/22/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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Influence of a supervised postpartum exercise program on maternal physical activity levels and musculoskeletal health - Abstract Physical activity (PA)/exercise is crucial for maternal health and wellbeing but several barriers to PA/exercise participation exist in the postpartum period. Musculoskeletal impairments—such as weakness, increased fatigability, pelvic ﬂoor dysfunction (e.g., incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, etc.), and pain—are common in the postpartum period. While these impairments provide strong rationale for participation in PA/exercise, they can also act as barriers to participation. Several psychosocial barriers also exist, including fear of movement and lack of childcare. Despite the importance of PA/exercise for health and wellness, and the documented musculoskeletal impairments that are associated with the postpartum period, assessment of neuromuscular function and education on resuming exercise is lacking in the standard postpartum care model in the United States. In addition, conﬂicting information can be found on social media and among clinical experts on when and how to best resume PA/exercise after childbirth. This proposal will evaluate the inﬂuence of an eight-week exercise intervention on neuromuscular function (i.e., lower extremity strength & endurance, pelvic ﬂoor muscle strength & endurance, self-reported pelvic ﬂoor dysfunction symptoms), habitual physical activity levels, and overall wellbeing (i.e., levels of kinesiophobia, sleep quality, self-reported quality of life) in postpartum females. In an effort to decrease barriers to exercise, childcare will be offered, and participants will have the opportunity to incorporate their child(ren) into exercise sessions if they so desire. This proposal will utilize a randomized control trial (RCT) design and objective measures of strength (i.e., load cells) along with standard clinical assessments of pelvic ﬂoor muscle function (i.e., internal vaginal assessment of strength and endurance, self-reported symptoms using validated questionnaires). Findings will be used to perform power analyses for future grant proposals to support a large, appropriately powered RCT. This proposal has potential to signiﬁcantly inﬂuence guidelines for postpartum physical activity/exercise, thus facilitating a change in current standard postpartum care.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $343,320 )
2025	2025	CARROLL UNIVERSITY, INC.	100 N EAST AVE	WAUKESHA	WI	53186	WAUKESHA	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	9/22/2025	NEW	$343,320
														Subtotal = $343,320

Grand Total All Awards = $343,320

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Influence of a supervised postpartum exercise program on maternal physical activity levels and musculoskeletal health

Award Number: R15HD117350

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/22/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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