The combination of an abdominal belt and increased running cadence will improve biomechanical factors such as impact magnitude, impact duration, and pelvic dynamic instability during running and walking in pregnant women, potentially reducing abdominal discomfort and enhancing stability.

The study aims to explore the effectiveness of using an abdominal belt and modifying running cadence on the biomechanics of pregnant women during physical activity. Specifically, it seeks to determine how these interventions influence key biomechanical parameters—impact magnitude, impact duration, and pelvic dynamic instability—and whether these changes can lead to improved comfort and reduced risk of musculoskeletal issues during and after pregnancy

The study utilized a single-session, repeated measures design focusing on the biomechanics of running among 26 pregnant volunteers. Recruitment was facilitated through social networks and the distribution of flyers in various locations, with inclusion criteria centered on pregnancy and clearance from a gynecologist to engage in running or active walking. Ethical approval was secured from the "Hospitalo-Facultaire Saint-Luc UCL" ethics committee, with all participants providing written informed consent.

Participants underwent a structured protocol that included both running and active walking exercises, divided into three key segments: without an abdominal belt at preferred cadence, with an abdominal belt at preferred cadence, and with a 10% increased cadence. These exercises were carried out on an instrumented treadmill, with the order of conditions randomized and interspersed with 10-minute passive recovery periods.

For data acquisition, a wearable system was employed to monitor impact magnitude, duration, and pelvic instability. This system, which was fastened to the lower back of participants, provided both real-time feedback and post-session analysis. Data were collated across 20 strides for each condition and normalized against the stance phase of the gait cycle to ensure consistency in measurement.

The study also explored the utility of an abdominal belt designed specifically for pregnant women. The belt's fit was adjusted to offer substantial support without impeding breathing, ensuring comfort and stability during exercise. Cadence adjustments were made by initially measuring each participant's natural cadence during a treadmill warm-up, followed by a 10% increase facilitated by a metronome app, ensuring participants could maintain the adjusted pace.

Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS, with a 5% significance threshold. The study aimed to discern the impact of the abdominal belt and cadence adjustments on various biomechanical parameters, including the potential for reducing discomfort and enhancing stability during physical activity. This was achieved through a linear univariate analysis that accounted for individual variability among participants, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the interventions' effects on the biomechanical aspects of running and walking during pregnancy.

The study presented intriguing findings on the influence of an abdominal belt and increased cadence on running and walking biomechanics in pregnant women. The results were detailed for various conditions including without an abdominal belt at spontaneous cadence, without a belt but with a 10% increased cadence, with a belt at spontaneous cadence, and finally, with both a belt and a 10% increased cadence.

For the walking protocol, the analysis revealed minimal variation in abdominal discomfort across different conditions, suggesting that neither the abdominal belt nor the cadence adjustment significantly altered perceived discomfort. However, a notable reduction in pelvic dynamic instability was observed when participants walked with an abdominal belt, either at their preferred cadence or with increased cadence. This reduction was most pronounced when the belt was worn at the preferred cadence, indicating potential benefits of the belt in stabilizing the pelvis during walking.

In the running protocol, similar trends were noted. The use of an abdominal belt at preferred cadence notably decreased the impact magnitude on the pelvis, suggesting a potential protective effect against high-impact forces. Interestingly, the greatest reduction in pelvic dynamic instability was observed when running with an abdominal belt at an increased cadence, highlighting the combined benefits of these interventions in enhancing pelvic stability. The impact duration during running showed an increase with the belt at preferred cadence, potentially indicating a more controlled landing phase.

The study's results suggest that both an abdominal belt and increased cadence can independently and jointly contribute to more stable and potentially safer running and walking biomechanics for pregnant women. The use of an abdominal belt, in particular, appears to offer significant advantages in reducing pelvic instability and impact magnitude, crucial factors for minimizing discomfort  in pregnancy. These findings could have practical implications for promoting physical activity among pregnant women by addressing some of the biomechanical challenges associated with pregnancy.

The study's findings suggest that the use of an abdominal belt and the adjustment of running cadence can have beneficial effects on the biomechanics of pregnant women engaging in physical activity. Specifically, the abdominal belt was effective in reducing pelvic dynamic instability and impact magnitude during both walking and running, which indicates its potential to enhance pelvic stability and mitigate the risk of musculoskeletal discomfort. Moreover, the combined application of an abdominal belt and a 10% increase in running cadence resulted in the most significant reduction in pelvic instability, underscoring the synergistic benefits of these interventions. However, the interventions did not significantly alter the level of abdominal discomfort reported by participants. These outcomes highlight the importance of considering biomechanical adjustments in promoting safer and more comfortable physical activity for pregnant women, potentially encouraging greater participation in exercise during pregnancy.

The study underscores the significance of biomechanical adaptations in enhancing the  comfort of physical activity for pregnant women. By incorporating an abdominal belt and modifying running cadence, pregnant women can experience improved pelvic stability and a reduction in impact forces, which are essential for minimizing musculoskeletal discomfort during exercise. These findings advocate for a more informed approach towards physical activity during pregnancy, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions that address the unique biomechanical challenges faced by pregnant women. Encouraging such practices could lead to increased exercise participation among pregnant women, promoting their overall health and well-being. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader understanding of how specific, accessible interventions can make a positive impact on the physical activity experience during pregnancy, paving the way for further exploration and implementation in clinical and fitness settings