Pregnancy represents a change in health, and Personnel Support Program reconditioning specialists are set to roll out a national pilot this month, including here at 14 Wing Greenwood, that will help Canadian Armed Forces members through prenatal and postpartum fitness goals.
Kyle Wolfer and Josh Leddicote, familiar faces at the 14 Wing Greenwood Fitness and Sports Centre as reconditioning specialists, are keen to launch PNP3 (prenatal and postpartum program) this month. PNP3 is part of the first key deliverable of targeted programs specially designed to enhance the overall wellness and fitness of women in the CAF.
In the past, Wolfer says, CAF members at a certain stage in their pregnancy, or postpartum, would be placed in a temporary medical category and referred to the reconditioning specialist for training assistance, if wanted. Wolfer has seen a program similar to PNP3 offered in past work at CFB Petawawa, and knows how valuable any enhanced offerings can be.
“The big focus will be making sure the member is getting 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week – the same as a regular person exercising, but modified,” he says. “We’d be re-evaluating higher risk activities – like skiing or skating, anything with a risk of falls. We’d be looking at weights in moderation – that’s completely fine. Cardio is fine.
“We want to keep a person as active as they were before pregnancy; or, if you weren’t active before, get them active – that really reduces risk and complications during pregnancy and recovery.”
Regaining safe activity levels after pregnancy can happen as soon as a member is cleared to return to the gym by their doctor. A fitness program now could include considerations for any incisions and healing, strain or pelvic floor issues, changed weight, We’ve and being able to pass a FORCE test within three months from the end of pregnancy leave.
It could also include baby.
“We’ve added playpens and mats to the F&S Centre – a parent may bring their infant, if needed, and tend to them while we go through the class. We don’t see that a lot now.”
Wolfer says he’s seen how “great the connection is between mothers and parents” in this kind of environment, able to talk, share experiences and ideas, and tackle a return to fitness – with a baby; together.
Greenwood will offer its first PNP3 classes Tuesdays and Thursdays starting in February. The national pilot, at Greenwood, Valcartier, Edmonton and Esquimault; is using some of the tools and experiences of existing programs in Kingston and Petawawa. Wolfer and Leddicote are looking for feedback on everything from the program’s intake paperwork to the information and exercise support PNP3 is gathering. It’s expected a formal national rollout of PNP3 will follow in the spring.
To get more information about the Greenwood program, contact Wolfer at kyle.wolfer@forces.gc.ca or Leddicote at josh.leddicote@forces.gc.ca
