Journal Article Review: The Fitness Benefits of Pushing a Baby Stroller

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There are many benefits to living a healthy lifestyle that includes adequate amounts of physical activity. One of the biggest benefits is improved cardiovascular health. Other benefits are reductions in the occurrence of diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancers. There is also a decrease in anxiety and depression in physically active individuals. Among women at various ages throughout the lifespan, it has been shown that physical activity positively influences general health, mental health, reduction in the rate of obesity, and overall vitality.1 These same benefits apply to postpartum women particularly improved psychosocial well-being and cardiovascular fitness. Return to physical activity is also associated with decreased anxiety, depression, lactation-induced bone loss, and stress urinary incontinence.2 There is a fairly large amount of women in the general population that don’t participate in regular physical activities for exercise, and the available data is conflicting on the physical activity level of women with and without children or pre- and post-pregnancy.1 Retained pregnancy weight can lead to higher risks and occurrences of obesity and obesity related diseases and health problems. As for any individual, physical activity and exercise seems to be a good approach to reducing postpartum weight retention and obesity.1,2
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) physical activity guidelines recommend that adults participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity 5 day per week or vigorous intensity for a minimum of 20 minutes 3 days per week.1 The ACSM guidelines recommend for postpartum women to start exercising again ...

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...lready have a stroller. It also eliminates other barriers such as the issues with childcare while providing personal and health benefits to the mother. There are probably benefits for the baby as well since being outside will provide a different type of stimulation. Mothers would just have to watch out for any over stimulation during their walks if their babies are younger. The baby tends to be the focus of the postpartum period, but it could be beneficial to dedicating a little more focus to the mother in order to promote optimal health and recovery to pre-pregnancy state.

Works Cited

1. Greany JF and Greany KA. The fitness benefits of pushing a baby stroller. J Women’s Health Phys Therap. 2013;37(3):103-107.
2. Evenson KR, Aytur SA, Borodulin K. Physical activity beliefs, barriers, and enablers among postpartum women. J Women’s Health. 2009;18:1925-1934.

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