Pregnancy is a period of major change that has a huge impact on a woman's body. Specific precautions need to be taken with exercise during pregnancy and this requires the guidance of appropriately educated fitness professionals. A variety of organizations offer certifications in prenatal and postnatal fitness.
American Fitness Professionals and Associates
American Fitness Professionals and Associates offers a certification course in prenatal and postnatal fitness for certified personal trainers and group exercise instructors. The comprehensive self-study course provides in-depth information along with a flexible schedule and at-home study. The course covers topics such as physiological changes that occur with pregnancy, exercise programming for women both during and after pregnancy, fetal responses to exercise and nutrient requirements during pregnancy. AFPA also offers unlimited technical support for individuals enrolled in the course. After enrollment, individuals have six months to complete the necessary course work and submit their exam. A minimum score of 90 percent is required to pass the exam. After successful completion, individuals are considered Certified Pre Post Natal Exercise Specialists.
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America offers a one-day workshop that focuses on perinatal fitness. Topics covered in the workshop are fetal development, nutritional needs, exercise considerations, labor and delivery and contraindications to exercise. AFAA suggests that registrants have a group exercise instructor or personal trainer certification, or have a background in exercise science. The workshop provides continuing education credits for certified fitness professionals and registered nurses.
American Council on Exercise
The American Council on Exercise offers an online course that focuses on exercise design for prenatal and postnatal clients. The course covers the changes that occur with pregnancy, maternal and fetal health, and how to design an appropriate exercise program for pregnant individuals. The course also has effective exercise demonstrations that will help trainers put the information to use in a practical setting. The course does count toward continuing education credits for fitness professionals.
Prepared Childbirth Educators, Inc.
Prepared Childbirth Educators, Inc. offers a certification for prenatal/postnatal fitness instructors. The certification requires that registrants possess a current nursing license. There is an option to sit for the exam only, but it is required that the nurse have at least one year of experience teaching prenatal/postnatal fitness classes.
References
- American Fitness Professionals & Associates: Pre/Post Natal Exercise Specialist Certification Course
- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America: Perinatal Fitness
- Prepared Childbirth Educators, Inc.: Prenatal/Postnatal Fitness Instructor
- American Council on Exercise: Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise Design
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