Lene A H Haakstad

Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH) · Department of Sports Medicine

Introduction: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, politicians enacted directions to reduce social interactions, including lockdown of fitness clubs. We aimed to investigate how this changed exercise habits of Norwegian gym members. Method: Based on survey data, men and women (≥18 years, n = 233, data collection from Aug. 2020 to Jan. 2021) were recrui...

Introduction Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, politicians enacted directions to reduce social interactions, including lockdown of fitness clubs. We aimed to investigate how this changed exercise habits of Norwegian gym members. Method Based on survey data, men and women (≥18 years, n = 233, data collection from Aug. 2020 to Jan. 2021) were recruit...

*Lifelong Learning Standard (LLL) definition describes the essential, knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy written as Learning Outcomes, required to work in the European Fitness and Physical Activity Sector as a professional qualified in the relevant field e.g. pregnancy and postpartum exercise. Qualification against a Lifelong Learning S...

Background: Since cardiorespiratory fitness is an important predictor for all-cause mortality, it is of interest to know if meeting the physical activity (PA) recommendations is associated with higher levels of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). We aimed to investigate the association between total PA level given as counts per minute (cpm) and minute...

Background Along with the rising prevalence of high body-mass index (BMI), there is also increased emphasis on leanness and fitness. Both these trends suggest that many individuals are concerned about weight management and may try to lose weight. Using data from the research project “Fitness clubs - a venue for public health?”, we aimed to describe...

Objectives To develop Australian guidelines on physical activity/exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Design Critical 'umbrella' reviews of the scientific evidence, combined with adaptation of recently published guidelines. Method A five stage approach included: identification of key source documents (including national PA/exercis...

Background: Data from the research project "Fitness clubs-a venue for public health?" provided an opportunity to evaluate the accuracy of self-reported body weight and height, and subsequent Body Mass Index (BMI), as well as the "trueness" of novice exercisers perception of weight status category, which has not been examined in this population. Th...

Objectives A fitness club may be an important arena to promote regular exercise. However, authors have reported low attendance rates (10 to 37%) the first months after individuals sign up for membership. It is therefore important to understand the reasons for poor exercise adherence. In this project, we aimed to investigate different psychosocial f...

No prospective studies have investigated if repeated testing of physical performance and body composition are associated with exercise attendance or patterns in fitness club members. This study aimed to investigate if repeated physical testing was associated with exercise attendance and patterns in gym members and to report prospective data on use...

The primary aim of the present study was to report longitudinal data on body image across the first year of gym engagement. Second, we aimed to compare body image among those who reported regular use of the fitness club (≥2 sessions/week) with those who did not (≤1exercise session/week or no exercise/dropout), as well as between genders and Body Ma...

No prospective studies have investigated motives and barriers to exercise in new untrained fitness club members. The aims of the present prospective longitudinal study were to 1) examine proportions reporting regular exercise, non‐regular exercise and exercise dropout, 2) identify motives and barriers to exercise, and 3) compare motives between reg...

Objectives: Most studies regarding prevalence of prenatal lifestyle counseling are based on patient report of provider advice. The aim of the present study was to describe midwives' practice and views in promoting three distinct, but importantly related lifestyle factors: gestational weight gain (GWG), regular physical activity (PA), and nutrition...

Objectives This study investigated self-perception of overall health (SPH) and quality of life (QoL) at onset and after 3, 6 and 12 months of fitness club membership. Also, we compared SPH and QoL between those who reported regular use of the fitness club (≥2 exercise sessions/week the last month) with those who did not (one exercise session/week o...

Objectives Today all pregnant women are recommended to participate in moderate intensity aerobic and resistance-based physical activity/exercise ≥150 min/week. However, there are still controversies and scant knowledge on the role of regular exercise on delivery outcomes, including mode of delivery and length of active labour. In addition, nutritio...

IntroductionThe aims of the present study were to report longitudinal data on the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a fitness club setting and to investigate whether gym members are educated about and exercise their pelvic floor muscles.Methods New members (125 women) from 25 fitness clubs in Oslo, Norway, filled in a 25-min online questio...

The aims of the present study were 1) to assess PA level and prevalence meeting PA recommendations at onset and after 12 months of fitness club membership, and 2) to identify socioeconomic status (SES), and compare this in participants with high (≥two weekly sessions) and low (≤one exercise session/week) exercise frequency. PA level was measured by...

Background: High Body Mass Index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) affect an increasing number of pregnancies. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has issued recommendations on the optimal GWG for women according to their pre-pregnancy BMI (healthy, overweight or obese). It has been shown that pregnant women rarely met the recommendations; howev...

Background: Growing evidence supports that physical activity and exercise during pregnancy is favorable for the mother, with persisting benefits in the postpartum period. However, there is scant knowledge of the effect of a prenatal exercise program on long-term health and lifestyle habits. Objectives: This 6-year follow-up study of a randomized co...

Objectives The primary aim of the present study was to investigate if changes in physical fitness, body composition and weight are associated with exercise attendance and dropout among fitness club members. Secondary, we wanted to identify motives for fitness club membership and exercise. Setting New members at 25 fitness clubs in Oslo, Norway. P...

Background: To develop effective health promotional and preventive prenatal programs, it is important to understand perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy, including exercise and sport participation. The aims of the present study was 1) to assess the effect of prenatal lifestyle intervention on the perceived barrier...

Introduction: The beneficial effects of physical activity during pregnancy for the mother and offspring have been reported by several studies but there are conflicting results concerning the possible effect of physical activity on the course of labor and risk of cesarean delivery. This study presents secondary analyses from the Norwegian Fit for D...

Objectives: Overweight and obese individuals are recommended to perform regular resistance training, and the health- and fitness industry offer several exercise programs with purpose to improve muscle strength and body composition. This randomised controlled trial aimed to compare 12 weeks (45-60min, 3 sessions/weeks) of popular exercise programs,...

This is Part 2 of 5 in the series of evidence statements from the IOC expert committee on exercise and pregnancy in recreational and elite athletes. Part 1 focused on the effects of training during pregnancy and on the management of common pregnancy-related symptoms experienced by athletes. In Part 2, we focus on maternal and fetal perinatal outcom...

Guidelines on physical activity or exercise and pregnancy encourage pregnant women to continue or adopt an active lifestyle during and following pregnancy.1–3 Two systematic reviews of pregnancy-related guidelines on physical activity found similarities between recommendations from different countries, but noted that the guidelines differed in focu...

Objective: To evaluate the effect of regular exercise on maternal arterial blood pressure (BP) at rest and during uphill walking, in healthy former inactive pregnant women. Methods: A single-blind, single-center, randomized controlled trial including 61 out of 105 healthy, inactive nulliparous pregnant women, initially enrolled in a controlled t...

Objectives . The aim was to investigate the effects of three different types of resistance training implementation. Design . Randomized controlled trial. Methods . Inactive, overweight women ( n = 143 ), mean BMI 31.3 ± 5.2 kg/m 2 , mean age 39.9 ± 10.5 years, were randomized to one of the following groups: A (BodyPump group training), B (individua...

Objective: to examine the effects of supervised group exercise on maternal psychological outcomes and commonly reported pregnancy complaints. Design: an observer-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting: Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. Participants: 105 sedentary, nulliparous pregnant women, mean age 30.7(±4.0) years, p...

Objective: To determine whether participation in a group fitness class for pregnant women can prevent and treat pelvic girdle pain and low back pain. Design: An observer-blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants: A total of 105 sedentary, nulliparous pregnant women, mean age 30.7 years (standard deviation (SD) 4.0), mean pre-pregnancy...

Abstract Objectives: 1) evaluate the proportion who correctly classify- or misclassify maternal weight gain; 2) investigate weight gain attitudes, and 3) compare weight gain attitudes with weight gain recommendations by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), as well as background and lifestyle factors. Methods: This is secondary analysis of cohort data c...

Background: The transtheoretical model (TTM) has been successful in promoting health behavioral change in the general population. However, there is a scant knowledge about physical activity in relation to the TTM during pregnancy. Hence, the aims of the present study were (1) to assess readiness to become or stay physically active according to the...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic dance on cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-two primiparous women with a mean age of 30.6 [standard deviation (SD) 3.7] years randomised to exercise (n=34) and (n=28) control groups. INTERVENTION: Two aerobic dance classes per week...

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic dance on cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women. Design: Randomised controlled trial. Participants: Sixty-two primiparous women with a mean age of 30.6 [standard deviation (SD) 3.7] years randomised to exercise (n=34) and (n=28) control groups. Intervention: Two aerobic dance classes p...

Birth weight plays an important role in infant mortality and morbidity, childhood development, and adult health. To date there are contradictory results regarding the role of physical activity on birth weight. In addition, it is questioned whether exercise during second and third trimesters of pregnancy might affect gestational age and increase the...

To assess whether a 12-week supervised exercise-programme with an additional 30 min of moderate self-imposed physical activity on the non-supervised weekdays prevents excessive weight gain in pregnancy, as well as postpartum weight retention. One hundred and five sedentary, nulliparous pregnant women with a mean age of 30.7 ± 4.0 years and a pre-pr...

Most pregnancy-studies have relied on retrospective, cross-sectional surveys to measure physical activity level. Questionnaires are cost-effective, but validity of the data may be questionable. The aim of the present study was to validate a physical activity and pregnancy questionnaire (PAPQ) with a portable activity monitor (ActiReg). Prospective...

Current exercise guidelines recommend pregnant women to exercise throughout pregnancy. However, a high percentage of pregnant women are sedentary, and there is an increasing decline of physical activity and exercise, especially in the third trimester. The aim of the present study was to compare demographic and health-related factors in pregnant wom...

To date there is scant knowledge about cardio-respiratory fitness in the general adult population. The aims of the present study were to assess physical activity and fitness level in adults, and to obtain practical experience with field testing in the adult population. Employees in a rural municipality (n=925) were invited to answer a questionnaire...

The aims of the present study were to assess the number of women performing pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) during pregnancy and to compare the background variables in those exercising and in those who did not. Four hundred and sixty-seven pregnant women (response rate 84%), mean age 31.5 years (range 20-49), answered a questionnaire on general...

It is generally recommended that healthy, pregnant women should engage in moderate exercise on most days of the week. However, there is scant knowledge about the overall physical activity and exercise levels among pregnant women. To assess the total physical activity level of pregnant women, and to investigate the association between weight gain, p...