Increase of physical activity of pregnant women by aqua-gymnastics and breathing exercises

Currently, there is a decline in the health of pregnant women. Therefore, the issueof reproductive health is particularly relevant. One of the main causes of diseases and abnormalities of children, especially at an earlyage are the problems in the perinatal life. It is associated with the complications during pregnancy and childbirth. One of the methods toreduce the risk is a pertinent physical activity. It is very important to take into account the biological characteristics of the female bodywhen selecting exercises. One of the most effective complexes is aqua-gymnastics with breathing exercises. The advantage of the techniqueis that it is widely available and easy to do. This research is aimed at developing the method of aqua-gymnastics for pregnantwomen with breathing exercises and estimation of its effectiveness. We observed 14 pregnant women (with average age of about26). The functional status was estimated before and after the course of aqua-gymnastics. There were measured function tests on breathholding(Stanges test, apnoea in statics and in dynamics), spirometry; the adaptive type of response was identified in load tests. Selfmonitoringwas carried out by determining breath parameters at inhalation and exhalation. With regular exercises the performanceshould increase. The entire set of exercises was carried out 4 times a week under the supervision of a practitioner, and 3 times a week ontheir own. The duration was as follows: 15-20 minutes for breathing exercises, 45 minutes for aqua-gymnastics. Exercises were performedat each lesson. 50% of the time was spent on active exercises with stretching, 50% - on breathing exercises and exercises forbreath holding. Carrying out the complex of breathing exercises and aqua-gymnastics by the females of the experimental group improvedthe functional reserves and the formation of good adaptation to the various factors of the external and internal environment. Theconclusions: 1. The graduated physical activity is a significant factor in the normalization of the pregnancy period and childbirth. Thecombination of exercises in water and training the correct breathing is one of the most advanced forms of physical activity during thepregnancy period. 2. The application of aqua-gymnastics in combination with breathing exercises allows the woman to prepare forchildbirth. It helps to physically strengthen the muscles of the body, to learn proper breathing and relaxation during childbirth. 3. Thecombined use of breathing exercises and aqua-gymnastics by pregnant women contributes to the functional reserve of the respiratorysystem, which results in the increased lungs capacity, increased breath-holding time for inhalation and exhalation, as well as enhancesthe adaptive capacities of the organism.

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