What If Everything You Heard About Pregnancy and Exercise Is Wrong?

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In episode #195 Kyla explores what the science actually says about exercise in pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and how athlete-specific training changes during this life stage. Kyla is joined by Dr. Margie Davenport, a leading researcher in exercise and pregnancy, and professional off-road cyclist Sarah Sturm, who shares the lived experience of training while pregnant.

We discuss the biggest myths around pregnancy and exercise, what the research shows about resistance training, HIIT, fueling, hydration, heat, and what may be coming next in updated athlete guidance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Why pregnancy and postpartum women have historically been underrepresented in research, and how that has shaped outdated guidance
• Sarah Sturm’s perspective as a pregnant professional athlete, including the pressure, judgment, and uncertainty that can come with competing while pregnant
• Why miscarriage is commonly misunderstood, and why exercise itself is not shown to cause miscarriage
• How resistance training, including lifting heavier loads, has been associated with fewer pregnancy complications in the available research
• What current data suggests about HIIT and higher-intensity exercise during pregnancy
• The broad benefits of physical activity in pregnancy, including reduced risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and depression
• Postpartum benefits, including lower odds of postpartum depression, urinary incontinence, and type 2 diabetes
• Fueling shifts during pregnancy, including increased needs for protein and iron, plus the reality of physiological anemia
• Hydration and heat considerations, especially for athletes training in warm or humid conditions
• The so-called pregnancy advantage and how some cardiovascular adaptations may persist postpartum
• Why updated sport-specific guidance for athletes is on the way through the International Olympic Committee process

Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.

ABOUT DR. MARGIE DAVENPORT & SARAH STURM:

• Dr. Margie Davenport is the Christenson Professor in Active Healthy Living within the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. She has published more than 200 manuscripts on exercise during preconception, pregnancy & postpartum, and has chaired numerous national and international guidelines on physical activity for perinatal women. Over the past decade, Dr. Davenport has partnered with global organizations including the WHO, IOC, FIFA, NWSL, and WTA to advance safe physical activity for pregnant and postpartum women worldwide. Her transformative research and advocacy continue to shape international standards for maternal health, sport, and exercise across preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods.
• Sarah Sturm is a professional off-road cyclist, who lives in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. She grew up playing all sorts of sports, but didn't start riding until she moved to Durango, Colorado for college, where she joined the cycling team. Sarah turned pro in 2018, racing the international cyclocross circuit. In 2019, she won her first big gravel race, changing the trajectory of her whole career. She is one of the top American gravel cyclists with podium finishes in the worlds biggest gravel races and series. She is currently taking the season off for maternity leave but will be back racing the Life Time Grand Prix and a full calendar in 2027.

FOLLOW DR. DAVENPORT & SARAH STURM:

• Dr. Margie Davenport’s website: https://exercisepregnancy.ca
• Dr. Margie Davenport's IG: www.instagram.com/drmargiedaven