Schedule of next meetings:
18.11.2025 (Tuesday), 16.00-17.30 CET
Link: ECSS Pregnancy and Postpartum Special Interest Group | Join to the meeting | Microsoft Teams
10.02.2026 (Tuesday), 16.00-17.30 CET
14.04. 2026 (Tuesday), 16.00-17.30 CET
16.06. 2026 (Tuesday), 16.00-17.30 CET
Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Postpartum (PAiPP) Special Interest Group
We cordially invite all stakeholders involved in the field of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum – including researchers, exercise professionals, elite sports coaches, and perinatal care specialists – to join us in establishing a global platform for the exchange of research concepts and evidence-based knowledge. In collaboration with ECSS members and partner bodies, such as the American College of Sports Medicine’s Pregnancy and Postpartum Special Interest Group, our objectives are:
- To initiate international research projects examining the effects of physical activity on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, the development of offspring, and other aspects of reproductive health.
- To support the prevention of infertility, pregnancy-related ailments, and non-communicable diseases in mothers and children through active lifestyles.
- To foster educational and practical activities that advocate for a healthy, active lifestyle during the perinatal period worldwide, including in the least developed countries.
- Discussion on global initiatives promoting physical activity during pregnancy and after childbirth and supporting women’s reproductive health.
European College of Sport Science- ECSS, Rimini, 2025
Can high-intensity interval training (HIIT) counteract hypertension in pregnancy? YES!!!
This issue was the subject of prof. Anna Szumilewicz presentation at the European College of Sport Science – ECSS Rimini congress, based on the results of the HIIT Mama project, implemented at the Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Poland
The ECCS congress is one of the largest annual scientific events in the field of sport and exercise science. This year, over 3,000 participants took part.
At ECSS congress 2025 we had:
- Special Interest Group Meeting: Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Postpartum.
- Invited session: International perspective on how PA impacts mother, cord, & baby metabolome & inflammation
- Poster Session: Exercise during Pregnancy / Obesity
- Oral Session: MIXED-EXERCISE THERAPY / PREGNANCY
And a dozen or so other presentations related to reproductive health in other sessions. These are the results of our multi-directional efforts and applications to the organizers.
Date: Thursday, 3 July
Time: 18.30-19.30.
Session room: Porto
To warm up, join us at this year’s ECSS congress for an invited symposium IS-MH02 titled “International perspective on how PA impacts mother, cord, & baby metabolome & inflammation: Date: 01.07.2025, Time: 13:30 – 14:45, Session room: Arco
We look forward to your participation at the first meeting of the PAiPP SIG and to advancing this important field together!
Chaired by:
Assoc. prof. Anna Szumilewicz
Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport,
Polish Society of Sports Medicine (PTMS)
Poland
Assoc. prof. Rita Santos-Rocha
Santarém Polytechnic University – Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM)
SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research and Innovation Center
Portugal
These initiatives are co-financed by the Minister of Science under the ‘Regional Excellence Initiative’ programme, Poland (within the “NEPPE – global promotion” project, PI: Anna Szumilewicz)
and by national funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., Portugal (within the project Active Pregnancy [2023.14896.PEX], PI: Rita Santos Rocha).
