A qualitative analysis of postpartum women's experiences with urinary incontinence and physical activity.

Problem: The postpartum period is associated with low physical activity, and increased risk of activity-related adverse health conditions.

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent postpartum condition associated with low physical activity which protects against many adverse postpartum health conditions. However, little is known about how postpartum women experience UI and physical activity.

Sleep, physical activity, and pregnancy symptoms: Factors associated with cognitive performance in early pregnancy.

Background: Women often report disruptions in cognitive performance during pregnancy. Though substantiated by objective assessments, findings have been inconsistent and potential contributing factors are not well understood.

Aim: The objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations between maternal mood, stress, pregnancy-related symptoms and device measured 24-hour activity behaviors with cognitive performance in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Using healthcare-affiliated apps to recruit typically underrepresented populations in a pregnancy cohort study in West Virginia.

Background: Individuals residing in rural areas and those with low socioeconomic status are typically underrepresented in clinical research. Strategies to recruit more representative populations should be explored. This study aimed to compare screening and consenting proportions in a West Virginia-based pregnancy cohort study of individuals sent a recruitment message via the MyChart patient portal, overall and stratified by rurality and insurance status (proxy for socioeconomic status).

Associations of urinary incontinence with postpartum physical activity: A cross-sectional study.

Problem: Postpartum women are largely insufficiently active and therefore, at risk for many adverse health outcomes.

Background: The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines recommend postpartum women perform moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and muscle strengthening exercise (MSE) to promote overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Urinary incontinence (UI) is a barrier to physical activity in the general population, but postpartum women have not been represented in previous studies.

Sedentary Behavior and Light-Intensity Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Cardiovascular Health: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans supports sitting less and moving more. Growing evidence suggests that a waking behavior profile with less sedentary behavior and more light-intensity physical activity is associated with more favorable cardiovascular health. Remarkably, little is known about how these behaviors relate to cardiovascular health during pregnancy.

Associations of urinary incontinence, physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk among women in the United States.

Objective: Urinary incontinence (incontinence) is a common condition among women which may contribute to low moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Thus, women with incontinence may have increased risk for inactivity and related cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this study was to determine the associations of incontinence with MVPA and CVD risk.

The acute impact of resistance exercise training on cardiovascular parameters in trained and untrained adults with high blood pressure.

Individuals with elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension (ES1H) are recommended to engage in lifestyle modifications, including resistance exercise training (RT), to reduce blood pressure. Twenty-five adults (age = 51.4 ± 5.

Associations of physical activity and sedentary time with aortic stiffness and autonomic function in early pregnancy.

Rapid cardiovascular and autonomic adaptations occur during early pregnancy to accommodate augmented cardiac output and placental circulation, with inadequate adaptation associated with hypertensive pregnancy complications. Habitual physical activity (PA) and limiting time in sedentary behavior (SED) may improve pregnancy-related vascular and autonomic function. The objective of this study was to examine the magnitude of the predicted associations between device-measured PA and SED with cardiovascular and autonomic biomarkers including aortic stiffness, blood pressure variability (BPV), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Postpartum Remote Health Coaching Intervention for Individuals With a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy: Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in America. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) negatively impact acute and long-term cardiovascular health, with approximately 16% of all pregnancies affected. With CVD 2-4 times more likely after HDP compared to normotensive pregnancies, effective interventions to promote cardiovascular health are imperative.

Early pregnancy health behaviors, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and maternal blood pressure after pregnancy.

Background: Individual health behaviors are associated with pregnancy outcomes, but their joint effects are rarely considered. We aimed to examine associations between combinations of first trimester health behaviors and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), normotensive adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), and blood pressure (BP) 2-7 years after delivery.

Methods: Participants in the nuMoM2b and follow-up Heart Health Study were included.

Patterns of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep across pregnancy before and during two COVID pandemic years.

Background: Physical activity is recommended during pregnancy, and high sedentary behavior and poor sleep may increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Activity patterns and sleep were negatively impacted by the COVID pandemic in many segments of the population, but the impact of the pandemic on pregnant people is understudied. We aimed to compare patterns of physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep during pregnancy between a pre-COVID and a COVID-era cohort.

A Qualitative Study Describing Experiences of Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace.

Objectives: Qualitatively assess experiences of occupational pregnancy discrimination.

Methods: A fully remote phenomenological qualitative study was completed leveraging semistructured interviews with a sample of pregnant employees in the United States. Inclusion criteria included being pregnant, working at least 35 hours per week, employed at least 1 year at current employer, and without diagnosed depression/anxiety.

Associations of pelvic floor dysfunction and postnatal mental health: a systematic review.

Background: Postpartum mental health conditions are common and can have devastating effects for both mother and infant. Adverse birth outcomes increase the risk of postnatal mental health conditions. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common adverse pregnancy outcome that may be a risk factor for postnatal mental health conditions.

Associations of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors with Depressive Symptoms and Mood Disturbance Throughout Pregnancy.

Mental health is critical for a healthy pregnancy, yet few studies have evaluated its associations with best practice, objectively measured moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary behavior (SED). This study evaluated associations of MVPA and SED with mental health across pregnancy. Two cohort studies (total  = 125, mean [standard deviation] 31 [5] years, and 14.

Resistance exercise lowers blood pressure and improves vascular endothelial function in individuals with elevated blood pressure or stage-1 hypertension.

Lifestyle modifications are the first-line treatment recommendation for elevated blood pressure (BP) or stage-1 hypertension (E/S1H) and include resistance exercise training (RET). The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of a 9-wk RET intervention in line with the current exercise guidelines for individuals with E/S1H on resting peripheral and central BP, vascular endothelial function, central arterial stiffness, autonomic function, and inflammation in middle-aged and older adults (MA/O) with untreated E/S1H. Twenty-six MA/O adults (54 ± 6 yr; 16 females/10 males) with E/S1H engaged in either 9 wk of 3 days/wk RET ( = 13) or a nonexercise control (Con; = 13).

Study Design and Protocol of the Multisite Pregnancy 24/7 Cohort Study.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and other adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are associated with an increased risk of future maternal cardiovascular disease. Physical activity during pregnancy reduces the risk of these APOs, yet few meet physical activity guidelines during pregnancy. Little is known about the role of sedentary behavior or sleep in APOs, a critical gap in knowledge given these behaviors comprise the majority of a 24-hour day.

Physical Activity Among Rural Men: Barriers and Preferences.

Introduction: Physical activity positively affects health. Although 94% of Americans know the health benefits of regular physical activity, more than 75% do not achieve recommended levels. The objective of our study was to identify and define the key components of a physical activity intervention tailored to rural American men.

Occupational Pregnancy Discrimination Is Associated With Negative Health Impacts for Pregnant Persons and Their Children.

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine associations between occupational pregnancy discrimination, maternal, and child health.

Methods: A nationwide sample of individuals currently in their third trimester of pregnancy who worked full-time (>35 hr/wk) were recruited. Surveys were completed during the third trimester and 6 weeks postpartum.

Associations of Physical Activity and Lactation Duration With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: The CARDIA Study.

Background: Physical activity (PA) and lactation benefit cardiometabolic health.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the joint associations of PA and lactation with cardiometabolic risk.

Methods: We averaged PA across exams and summed lifetime lactation in Black and White parous women in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study.

Psychological resources and incident hypertension in the coronary artery risk development in young adults (CARDIA) study.

Objective: Examining factors that may protect against the development of hypertension is critical, as hypertension is a major public health concern. We examined the individual and combined associations of psychological resources (optimism and mastery) on incident hypertension over 15 years.

Method: We used data from four exams of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study over 15 years (CARDIA exam years 15-30).