Table 3.

Exercise prescription during postpartum by country-specific guidelines

Characteristics of guidelines	Australia	Canada	Norway	United Kingdom	United States (USDHHS)
Frequency		3-5 times/week			spread throughout the week**
Duration or total time		>=15 minutes/session			>=150 minutes/week**
Intensity		use conventional heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion targets		do not resume high impact activity too soon	moderate intensity recommended**
Type of activities:
Aerobic activities	yes*	yes			yes
Non-ballistic exercises	yes*
Pelvic floor exercise		yes	yes	yes
Running	yes*
Strengthening		yes			yes
Stretching		yes		yes
Swimming			yes
Walking		yes		yes

^*Specified to delay these activities until there is resolution of some of the hormonal and physical effects of pregnancy and childbirth (usually about 6 weeks postpartum).

^**Among women who are not already highly active or doing vigorous intensity physical activity.

Note: Exercise prescription during postpartum was not covered by the United States ACOG guidelines.