Exploring the postpartum return to sport and performance in Canadian elite athletes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Athlete-mothers in elite sport were viewed as anomalies until very recently. Perhaps as a consequence of limited research, support and resources available for pregnant and postpartum athletes may be inadequate.

Objective

To explore the experiences of athletes returning to sport and performance postpartum.

Methods

Ten elite Canadian athletes who became pregnant during their sporting career and attempted to return to competitive sport after childbirth completed an online questionnaire.

Results

Most participants reported that timing of conception was planned around competition schedule. During pregnancy, most athletes trained through pregnancy, but found the advice they received unsatisfactory. Lack of support for childcare within sport and balancing br

SUBMITTER: Hewitt CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12537676 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature