Outcomes of a 10-Week Exercise Intervention on Body Mass and Body Composition in Postpartum Women

Abstract

PURPOSE: To document the effects of a 10-week exercise intervention on changes in body mass and body composition in postpartum women. METHODS: The sample included 15 women that were 6 to10 weeks postpartum. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 7) and control groups (n = 8). All participants had a single birth and an uncomplicated pregnancy. Body mass and skinfold measures were taken pre- and post-intervention. Skinfold measures were taken at 7 sites including: chest, midaxillary, triceps, subscapular, abdomen, suprailiac, and thigh. In addition, a nutrition log was utilized to assess caloric intake throughout the exercise program. Dietary intake was recorded on one weekend day and two weekdays at pre-test, 5 weeks, and post-test. The exercise intervention consisted of 2 days a week of light strength training and walking or running, as well as 1 day of water exercise. Participants also walked or ran two times a week at home. RESULTS: A one-way multivariate analysis of variance was conducted between the experimental and control groups on the linear combination of difference scores between pre- and post-tests on body mass and body fat percentage. Body mass was not statistically significant (p =.073) although there was a difference in body mass loss between control and experimental groups. Upon completion of the 10-week intervention the experimental group had lost a mean of 1.9 kg and the control group.7 kg, respectively. The change in body fat percentage was statistically different between groups (p =.002). Experimental participants had a decrease of 2.2% at post-test compared to a.4% increase in the control group. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that a combined strength and endurance intervention begun postpartum can reduce body fat levels.