Pre-Screen for Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING PREGNANCY HAS MANY HEALTH BENEFITS AND IS GENERALLY SAFE FOR MOST INDIVIDUALS. BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE IS NOW SEEN AS A CRITICAL PART OF A HEALTHY PREGNANCY.
Pre-screening for physical activity in pregnancy using an evidence-informed screening tool is an important first step in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Screening identifies those who may need more evaluation or to see their Obstetric Health Care Provider before they begin or continue to be physically active.
See the SOGC/CSEP 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity Throughout Pregnancy — An evidence-based guideline that outlines the right amount of physical activity women should get throughout pregnancy to promote maternal, fetal, and neonatal health.
The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy released by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is designed to identify the small number of individuals who should seek medical advice as a first step to becoming or continuing to be physically active during the months that they are pregnant, and to help the majority of healthy pregnant individuals overcome any concerns they might have with getting or staying active.
It is designed to be a self-administered pre-screening tool to empower individuals to be responsible for their own health and wellbeing during their pregnancy. The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy and companion Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity helps health care providers have a meaningful conversation about the benefits of physical activity with their pregnant patients.
KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PREGNANCY:
Using the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy
The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy consists
of four questions to help individuals decide whether they should
consult a health care professional before becoming or continuing to be physically active during pregnancy. If an individual answers “YES” to
any question, they are guided to consult with their obstetric health
care provider before beginning or continuing to be physically active.
The Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity
form has been developed to assist individuals in their conversation
with their health care provider and the qualified exercise professional.
HOW THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PREGNANCY COULD BE USED:
- Recreation or fitness facilities may have their pregnant clients
complete the questionnaire prior to joining an exercise class or
program. - Obstetric healthcare professionals (i.e., physicians, midwives,
physiotherapists, dieticians) may provide the questionnaire when
encouraging their patients to start or continue to be physically active
during pregnancy. - Pregnant Individuals who wish to continue or become active during
pregnancy can complete the questionnaire on their own initiative. - Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEP) may use the questionnaire as one part of the pre-screening process with clients.
PRACTITIONERS USING THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PREGNANCY
- Pre-participation screening is an essential step for identifying risk
factors and determining who should seek medical advice prior to
becoming or continuing to be physically active during pregnancy. The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy should be only one step in the overall pre-participation screening process. - A Qualified Exercise Professional (QEP) may ask all pregnant clients to complete the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy so they can start getting to know their client’s health status better.
- If a pregnant client answers “Yes” to a question, QEPs are encouraged
to refer the client to their obstetric health care provider with the Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity. - More information about how a QEP can use the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy in practice is discussed in a free webinar from CSEP.
The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy was developed in partnership with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, The College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Women’s Health Division.
The Women’s Health Division (WHD) is a division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) that is managed, operated, and advanced by volunteers with a passion for women’s health. We are a dynamic organization, national in scope, that effectively facilitates communication, education and service delivery for physiotherapy practitioners on topics specific to women’s health. https://www.womenshealthcpa.com/
The SOGC is one of Canada’s oldest national specialty organizations. Established in 1944, the Society’s mission is to lead the advancement of women’s health through excellence and collaborative professional practice.
The SOGC has over 4,000 members, comprised of obstetricians, gynaecologists, family physicians, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals working in the field of sexual reproductive health. https://sogc.org
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is the professional organization that represents more than 41,000 members across the country. The College establishes the standards for and accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada’s 17 medical schools. It reviews and certifies continuing professional development programs and materials that enable family physicians to meet certification and licensing requirements. The CFPC provides high-quality services, supports family medicine teaching and research, and advocates on behalf of the specialty of family medicine, family physicians, and the patients they serve. https://www.cfpc.ca/
CFPC endorsement pertains to these materials and acknowledges that they are consistent with the principles of family medicine and of benefit to family physicians and their patients. It does not imply financial support for promotion and dissemination of materials.
Endorsements for the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy
The following organizations have formally endorsed the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy and the Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity.
ISBNPA is the leading voice in behavioral nutrition and physical activity science. ISBNPA promotes and advocates innovative research and policy in the area of behavioral nutrition and physical activity toward the betterment of human health worldwide. https://isbnpa.org/
We are the American College of Sports Medicine – with more than 50,000 members and certified professionals strong from 90 countries around the globe. Representing 70 occupations within the sports medicine field, ACSM is the only organization that offers a 360-degree view of the profession. From academicians to students and from personal trainers to physicians, our association of sports medicine, exercise science, and health and fitness professionals is dedicated to helping people worldwide live longer, healthier lives. ACSM advances and integrates scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. https://www.acsm.org/
Exercise is Medicine® Canada (EIMC) is a movement to encourage a healthy lifestyle among Canadians. EIMC programs are based on abundant evidence that physical activity and exercise reduce the risk of chronic disease and the belief that:
- Most Canadians can find simple ways to incorporate physical activity and exercise into their daily routines;
- More should be done to address physical activity and exercise in the healthcare setting; physical activity and exercise should be incorporated as a key health indicator and standard of medical care as a ‘vital sign’; and
- Certified exercise professionals serve as important resources for Canadians and their healthcare providers https://exerciseismedicine.
org/canada/
ParticipACTION is a national non-profit organization that inspires and supports Canadians to make physical activity a vital part of their everyday life. As Canada’s premier physical activity brand, ParticipACTION works with its partners, which include organizations in the sport, physical activity and recreation sectors, alongside government and corporate sponsors, to help Canadians reduce sedentary time and move more through innovative engagement initiatives and thought leadership. ParticipACTION has a long history in Canada dating back to 1971 when our nation’s inactivity crisis was revealed. We’ve been behind many campaigns that have drawn attention to the issue and inspired Canadians to get moving. https://www.participaction.com/
RESOURCES
CSEP has developed a number of resources to help you understand and use the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy.
Download the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy
Download the Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity
Use this document if you answered YES to any questions on the front page of the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy and have not already consulted with your obstetric health care provider about becoming or continuing to be physically active.
The CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ provides Qualified Exercise Professionals with the background knowledge and practical considerations necessary for working with individuals during the perinatal period.
