Elite and Sub-elite Athletes and Pregnancy: Training, Performance, Health and Psychological Aspects Across the Pre-, Peri-, and Postnatal Stages: A Scoping Review
While no consistent evidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes from high training loads has been reported, the existing studies are too limited and heterogeneous to allow firm conclusions. These gaps, along with an evidence base largely derived from endurance-focused sports and Western populations, highlight the ongoing need for more diverse, contemporary, and sport-specific research on training, return-to-sport, and mental health in pregnant elite athletes. Registration The protocol for this review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD420250651470).
Authors
- Kirsten Legerlotz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6077-5711)
- Petra Platen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3440-8245)
- Jana Nolte
- Isabell Thal
- Emily Büthe
- Susanne Weber
Institutions
- University of Wuppertal (DE)
- University Hospitals of the Ruhr-University of Bochum (DE)
- Center for Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences (RS)
- Ruhr University Bochum (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Sports Medicine - Open
- Published
- 2026-03-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-026-01000-5
- Primary Topic
- Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft