Advancing Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Athletes: A Call to Action for Athletic Trainers.

Abstract

Context: There is a need for evidence-based clinical care guidelines for perinatal athletes in the athletic training profession. Limited research on perinatal athletes, in science, exercise, and sports medicine has resulted in barriers to providing patient-centered care for this population.

Objectives: To inspire discussions of female-centric healthcare among athletic trainers to better understand patient values, encourage clinician collaboration and shared decision-making, promote equal representation of males and females in sports medicine research, advocate for safe and effective training guidelines for perinatal athletes, and establish organizational support for providing patient-centered care to pregnant and postpartum athletes.

Description: General guidelines have been established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for recreational exercise, but most of the current literature in sports medicine is lacking recommendations for perinatal competitive and elite athletes. A call to action is required from athletic training education, clinical practice, research, and professional organizations.

Clinical and research advantages: Examining perinatal athletes' needs will bring focus to a marginalized population in sports medicine. Comprehensive guidelines and practical coaching methods in the athletic training profession have the potential to improve the monitoring of perinatal health and patient outcomes.