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breaking down barriers to exercising during pregnancy: the get active questionnaire for pregnancy
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by brittany ward
scientific studies have shown that exercise is safe and healthy for most people during pregnancy. until recently, though, clearance from a health-care provider was required before anyone who was pregnant could begin — or continue — exercise. but since getting medical clearance takes time and requires access to health care, this can pose a barrier to physical activity.
to address these challenges, the society of obstetricians and gynaecologists of canada (sogc) removed the requirement for medical clearance in 2019. it is still important, though, that those who are pregnant take extra care in deciding whether to exercise, and how to modify exercise, if necessary.
a questionnaire that helps determine safe exercise
to make this easier, the canadian society for exercise physiology (csep) developed a screening tool called the get active questionnaire for pregnancy, created with the input of medical and physiotherapy associations, experts in prenatal exercise, health-care providers, policy-makers as well as people who were pregnant or recently pregnant.
how the questionnaire works
following the latest guidance from the american college of sports medicine on exercise pre-screening, the questionnaire is designed to be user-friendly and to safely “screen in” most pregnant individuals so that they can start or continue physical activity.
on the first page, respondents answer a series of questions on health conditions. if they answer “yes” to one of these questions, it means they should see their health-care provider before beginning or continuing to exercise since physical activity may not be advised during their pregnancy, or it may have to be modified.
if they answer “no” to all the questions, they proceed to the second page, where they outline how often they normally exercised or exercise, and at what intensity, before and during pregnancy. then they are guided to the 2019 canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy for more detailed advice.
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if this self-assessment prompts respondents to go to their health-care provider for clearance to exercise, the provider uses a consultation form developed through the same process of expert and patient consultation, and scientific evidence to determine the kind and intensity of exercise that can be safely undertaken.
what it all means
evidence shows that exercise is safe and beneficial for most people during pregnancy. but for some, particularly those with current or previous health conditions, exercise may pose serious risk of harm to them or their growing fetus. others may be able to exercise, only by changing aspects of the activity, such as doing using less intensity, exercising for shorter periods, or changing the types of exercise they do. and almost all pregnant people can continue light activities of daily living, such as walking or light stretching.
this article was written for the canadian society for exercise physiology by brittany ward, csep-cep, a researcher in the program for pregnancy and postpartum health, faculty of kinesiology, sport, and recreation, women and children’s health research institute, alberta diabetes institute, university of alberta, edmonton, alberta, canada. it has been reviewed by the csep knowledge translation committee.
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