Effects of a practical resistance band training intervention on muscle soreness during pregnancy: A pilot study

Background: Mothers often experience muscle soreness following labor and delivery; however, this has yet to be examined. Purpose: To determine the effects of resistance bands on maternal muscle soreness when performed during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Methods: Women were randomized to an exercise (n = 12) or standard-care (n = 13) groups and completed surveys regarding muscle soreness. The exercise group performed a 15 week resistance band program 3 times/wk. Maternal, newborn, and delivery outcomes were measured. Change scores were calculated and comparisons were made using independent t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: Twenty-five women participated, mean age was 26.5 ± 3.4 years. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in muscle soreness and maternal and newborn outcomes. Mode of delivery was significantly different (p = 0.05) with the exercise group having more vaginal births (91.7%) compared to the standard care group (61.5%). Conclusions: Muscle soreness was not significantly different, however, the mean values were in the expected direction. Further, there was a higher percentage of women in the exercise group having vaginal deliveries. Thus, while the sample size was small, these pilot findings have clinical importance, even if they are not statistically significant due to limited power. The use of resistance bands may be a practical intervention to increase the percentage of vaginal deliveries, the preferred mode of delivery. Confirming these results with a larger sample size is necessary. Keywords: Exercise, Gestation, Vaginal birth, Pain management, Muscle soreness, Cesarean section, Pregnancy, Resistance training.