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    Pregnancy Fitness: Soldiers stay mentally and physically fit

    Pregnancy Fitness: Soldiers stay mentally and physically fit

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Sinthia Rosario | Pregnant soldiers practice breathing floor exercises during the Pregnancy Postpartum...... read more read more

    FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

    01.27.2012

    Story by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario 

    24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

    FORT BLISS, Texas - Maintaining Army physical standards during pregnancy can be challenging to soldiers, Fort Bliss along with other Army installations have implemented a program to help these soldiers and keep them on track.

    The Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training program is designed to guide and address the physical fitness needs of soldiers during pregnancy, stated Staff Sgt. Lavern R. Scott, movement non-commissioned officer assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, 212th Fires Brigade.

    Soldiers that continue to exercise during their pregnancy and postpartum receive huge psychological benefits, remain more socially active and are more able to adapt to the challenges of motherhood.

    “This program is divided into four groups: 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters and postpartum,” said Staff Sgt. Ivonne Andino, installation instructor trainer assigned to Division Operations, 1st Armored Division. The instructors focus on the components of fitness using various types of exercises that can be adjusted to the fitness level appropriate for the soldier and modify the exercises within the transition of their progress of their pregnancy.

    “I have implemented pregnancy yoga, zumba, spin classes and aerobics,” said Andino. “I find it beneficial that they can actually enjoy doing something different and still get them back to meet their requirements within the Army standards.”

    “My favorite part of the program is when we go to the aerobics room and they divide us in different stages,” said Spc. Ana M. Soto-Burgos a human resource specialist assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion. “In aerobics we do push-ups, weight lifting and sit-ups. It keeps me motivated and it has actually helped me not gain a lot of weight.”

    Not only does the pregnancy program help with physical training, it also gives them the opportunity to be around other pregnant soldiers they can relate to, giving them a sense that they’re not alone. They receive various types of educational classes to better prepare them for motherhood, they also help them transition from PPPT to unit physical training.

    Getting back into regular physical training after having a baby can be challenging.

    According to Lavern, soldiers that don’t show up to physical training until after they’ve delivered have a much harder time getting back in shape than the ones who went through the whole program.

    “When they come back from convalescence leave it’s very hard to get back to physical training if you haven’t been doing anything,” said Lavern. “We try to go through Medical Protection System and get the soldiers to come in and be a part of the program, sometimes they don’t make it for whatever reason, but we try.”

    “As soon as they find out they’re pregnant the soldiers need to see their obstetrician or health care provider and get a profile and a stamp stating that they can participate in this program,” stated Andino.

    She also stated they would also need memorandums of approval from their chain of command. The commander has to know that once they become postpartum they still remain in the program for another six months. During that time a height and weight check along with a diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test will be conducted. This provides the soldier a status of their physical readiness in the months following delivery and gives them an opportunity to see what they need to work on to meet APFT Standards.

    “This is a great program and these soldiers need to take advantage of it,” said Lavern.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.27.2012
    Date Posted: 02.01.2012 16:32
    Story ID: 83154
    Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US

    Web Views: 473
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN