title: Physical activity and persistent low back pain and pelvic pain post partum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of this study were (i) to investigate the potential influence of pre-pregnancy regular leisure-time physical activity (PA) on the risk of persistent LBPP half a year after pregnancy, and (ii) to explore the starting time and prevalence of PA among women experiencing LBPP during pregnancy, in relation to remission or persistent LBPP half a year after pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a follow-up study of 639 women who reported LBPP during pregnancy. These women were sent a questionnaire at approximately six months after delivery. The respondents were divided into three groups: 'no pain', 'recurrent pain', and 'continuous pain'. Data were analysed using an independent samples t-test, Pearson's chi-squared test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  44.5% of subjects reported current PA at six months post partum. The mean starting time of PA was 2.6 months post partum and the mean number of current, weekly events of PA was 3.4; there were no differences between the groups. 82.2% reported previous PA at some period in life. Women with BMI >/= 30 reported current PA to a lesser extent. The number of years of pre-pregnancy PA did not influence the risk of persistent LBPP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost half of women who had experienced LBPP during pregnancy reported PA at six months post partum. The number of years of pre-pregnancy PA did not influence the risk of persistent LBPP. Obesity was a risk factor for not practising PA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. ingrid.mogren@obgyn.umu.se
authors.forename: Ingrid M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Mogren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult