Empowering moms: Supervised HIIT vs. self-performed moderate intensity physical activity during pregnancy and the battle against depression and poor mental health in the postpartum period - The follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

This study assessed the impact of prenatal High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and educational (EDU) interventions on depression symptoms, psychological well-being, and health among postpartum women. Fifty-three Caucasian women in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies were divided into HIIT (n = 34) and EDU (n = 19) groups. Depression symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Psychological well-being and mental and physical health were assessed using the Flourishing Scale and SF-12 at three time points: before and after an 8-week intervention during pregnancy, and five months postpartum. There were no between-group differences in all three assessments, both in the severity of depression symptoms, psychological well-being, as well as physical and mental health. Both groups showed an increase in postpartum scores for depressive symptoms, although mean scores were still relatively low. A postpartum decline in well-being and mental health indicators was significant only in the EDU group. Both interventions had similar effects on depressive symptoms and well-being. Prenatal HIIT may have the potential to maintain postpartum mental health, but this requires further exploration.