Introduction: Perinatal depression is characterized by the experience of mild or major
depressive episodes during pregnancy or within the first year following childbirth. It
represents a significant health concern during this period, with high rates of occurrence.
According to recent research examining women during pregnancy and postpartum, perinatal
depression is estimated to have a prevalence ranging from 10 % to 20 %. The most common
treatments for perinatal depression include antidepressants, psychotherapies, cognitive-behavioral therapies, interpersonal therapies, telephone counselling, and home counselling.
In addition to these conventional methods, modern treatment approaches also involve
physical activity. Physical activity is one of the ways through which we can influence the
physical and psychological changes that occur during pregnancy and after childbirth, as it
brings various benefits. Purpose: The objective of this diploma thesis was to examine the
correlation between perinatal depression and physical exercise, as well as evaluate the effects
of various types of physical exercises on the psychological wellbeing of pregnant women
and mothers. The analysis was based on a comprehensive review of scientific and
professional literature. Methods: The literature search was conducted using the PubMed and
PEDro databases. In order to identify relevant articles, the search query consisted of the
following combinations of keywords: »exercise AND postpartum depression« OR »exercise
AND postnatal depression« OR »exercise AND perinatal depression«. Results: Six
randomized controlled trials met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In two studies,
participants performed aerobic exercise and resistance exercise in water. In three studies, the
participants performed exercise tailored for postpartum women in a home environment and
in one study, a training program involving stretching and breathing exercises was performed
in a home setting. The results of four studies, where the participants performed aerobic
exercise, resistance training in water, and exercise tailored for postpartum women in a home
environment, were homogeneous. They demonstrated a positive impact of exercise on
perinatal depression symptoms. Engaging in exercise contributed to a reduction in perinatal
depression symptoms and anxiety, increased social support, as well as improvement in
emotional and social interactions. In two studies, where the participants followed an exercise
program that included stretching, breathing exercises, and exercises tailored for postpartum
women in a home environment, there was no confirmed positive impact of exercise on
reducing perinatal depression symptoms. Despite the statistically significant differences
observed between the intervention and comparison groups, selected studies also revealed
statistically insignificant differences, indicating the need for further exploration of the
relationship between exercise and perinatal depression. Discussion and conclusion: Our
literature review revealed that there is currently limited research available on the relationship
between exercise and perinatal depression, but the selected randomized controlled studies
did report positive effects. However, in order to gain a deeper understanding of this
connection, future research should focus on implementing exercise programs within a
controlled environment and under the supervision of skilled professionals. Additionally,
appropriate control groups and multiple assessments of perinatal depression should be
included to enable comparisons across studies. It is essential to focus on specific forms of
exercise and carefully design appropriate exercise programs to enable result comparisons
among studies. Nevertheless, given the many reported positive effects, exercise can be used
as a valuable supplementary intervention for reducing perinatal depression symptoms in both
pregnant women and mothers.
Keywords: perinatal depression, physical activity, exercise, perinatal period.
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