Mobile exercise apps aimed at pregnant women are missing vital features

U of A expert Margie Davenport says exercise apps shouldn’t be used by pregnant women

Exercise mobile apps aimed at helping pregnant women stay physically active during pregnancy shouldn’t be used, says University of Alberta maternal and fetal health expert Margie Davenport.

The majority of these mobile apps are unregulated and do not meet the current recommended guidelines for prenatal exercise and care. Well—at least not yet.

“Women may be uncertain how to safely engage in physical activity and exercise during this life stage and are increasingly using mobile apps to access health-related information,” says Davenport, an associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation and the Christenson Professor in Active Healthy Living. “However, I don't recommend their use to guide prenatal physical activity as currently available mobile apps lack critical, evidence-based information.”

This recommendation comes after Davenport, along with other experts from around the globe, were invited by Melanie Hayman, a senior lecturer in allied health at Central Queensland University to review some of the most popular apps currently available for prenatal physical activity.

The study, initiated after what Davenport refers to as “an explosion in smartphone apps for physical activity during pregnancy over the last few years,” made a startling discovery.

Out of the 27 mobile apps reviewed, none made the cut.  

“None of the mobile apps screened for contraindications, where due to existing or pregnancy-related medical conditions prenatal exercise is not recommended,” says Davenport. “Only three aligned with current public health recommendations, most lacked personalization features, and few, if any, involved qualified experts in the development of the apps.” 

The 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy, developed and led by Davenport herself, recommends that during their pregnancy, women engage in 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week at least. 

“Being physically active has vast health benefits for both mother and baby, and does not increase the risk of having a miscarriage, small-for-gestational-age baby or preterm delivery,” she says. “Physical activity represents a powerful and easily accessible preventative tool to improve maternal and fetal health.”

While there are a number of mobile apps currently being developed in collaboration with established experts, and based on the latest evidence, until they become available, Davenport suggests sticking to working with qualified exercise professionals who specialize in exercise during pregnancy. 

“The challenges of the pandemic have resulted in the development of an incredible wealth of online options to work with prenatal experts from around the world,” sums up Davenport. “When looking for online options, it is key to identify those that have been developed by professionals who have been certified by accredited organizations such as the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology or American College of Sports Medicine, who have undertaken additional training to work with pregnant and postpartum individuals.”