Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum- CSEP

Pre-Screen for Physical Activity after childbirth: Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AFTER CHILDBIRTH HAS MANY HEALTH BENEFITS AND IS GENERALLY SAFE FOR MOST INDIVIDUALS. BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE IS NOW SEEN AS A CRITICAL PART OF THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD.

Pre-screening for physical activity in postpartum 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 Primary Health Care Provider before they begin or continue to be physically active.

See the CSEP 2025 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep throughout the First Year Postpartum — An evidence-based guideline that outlines guidance on how to start, or return, to physical activity, along with right amount of physical activity women should get throughout the first year postpartum to promote her health, and that of her infant.

The Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum 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 following childbirth, and to help the majority of healthy postpartum 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 following childbirth.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR POSTPARTUM:

Assists with starting a conversation with a qualified exercise professional or primary health care provider
Identifies who should get health care guidance before physical activity
Helps alleviate concerns to continuing or becoming physically active

Using the Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum

The Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum consists of four questions to help individuals decide whether they should consult a primary ? health care professional before becoming or continuing to be physically active after childbirth. If an individual answers “YES” to any question, they are guided to consult with their health care provider before beginning or continuing to be physically active.

HOW THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR POSTPARTUM COULD BE USED:

Recreation or fitness facilities may have their postpartum clients
complete the questionnaire prior to joining an exercise class or
program.
Health care professionals (i.e., physicians, midwives,
physiotherapists, dieticians) may provide the questionnaire when
encouraging their patients to start or continue to be physically active
following childbirth.
Postpartum individuals who wish to continue or become active following childbirth can complete the questionnaire on their own initiative.
Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEP) may use the questionnaire as one part of their pre-screening process with clients.

PRACTITIONERS USING THE GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR POSTPARTUM

Pre-participation screening is an essential step for identifying risk
factors and determining who should seek medical guidance prior to
becoming or continuing to be physically active after childbirth. The Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum should be only one step in the overall pre-participation screening process.
A Qualified Exercise Professional (QEP) may ask all postpartum clients to complete the Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum so they can start getting to know their client’s health status better.
If a postpartum client answers “Yes” to a question, QEPs are encouraged
to refer the client to their primary health care provider for medical guidance.
More information about how a QEP can use the Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum in practice is discussed in a free webinar from CSEP.