Water sports during pregnancy is good

Swimming and aqua gymnastics especially suitable for pregnant women

07/17/2014

Water sports such as swimming or aqua-gymnastics are especially recommended as exercise programs for pregnant women, but other physical activities with moderate intensity also improve the health of the mother and the unborn child, according to the announcement of the network „Healthy in life“.

„Sporting activity with moderate intensity during pregnancy brings benefits for mother and child“, reports Professor Klaus Vetter, expert of the network „Healthy in life“. The positive effects of physical activity include an increase in the well-being of the pregnant women, a lower risk of gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia (pregnancy poisoning) as well as the prevention of excessive weight gain. Moderate-intensity regular physical activity is therefore recommended unless there are any medical contraindications.

Swimming protects the joints of pregnant women
During pregnancy, water sports such as swimming, aquajogging, aquafitness or aquaspinning are particularly suitable, reports the news agency „dpa“ with reference to the sports physician Prof. Christine Graf from the network „Healthy in life“. Because this would protect the joints and the water pressure counteract the water retention in the legs (see water in the legs) contrary, under which many pregnant women suffer. In order to avoid excessive stress on the circulation, a water temperature between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius is ideal.

Avoid sports with a high risk of falling and injury
In addition to water sports, according to the network „Healthy in life“ also other sports activities, „which require large muscle groups, such as cycling, hiking or Nordic walking“, improve the health during pregnancy. However, the pregnant women should „no new sports with unfamiliar movements begin“ and „Sports with high fall and injury risk“ avoid. Because pregnant women often have too low a vitamin D concentration, „associated with poorer bone mineralization and muscle mass of their school-age children“ is, the network advises „Healthy in life“, to practice the sports activities outdoors if possible. Because the sunlight stimulates the vitamin D formation in the skin. (Fp)